Is private school cheaper in Salt Lake City or Scranton?

Salt Lake City has lower average private school tuition at $9,400/year vs $12,200/year in Scranton. That's $2,800/year less, or $36,400 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Salt Lake City over Scranton?

Average tuition in Salt Lake City is $2,800/year less than Scranton. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $36,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,500/year in Salt Lake City, $7,800/year in Scranton.

How do Salt Lake City and Scranton private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Salt Lake City averages $9,400/year ($2,950 below average). Scranton averages $12,200/year ($150 below average).

Private School Cost: Salt Lake City vs Scranton

Salt Lake City averages $2,800/year less for private school (30% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $36,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Salt Lake City is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,400/year vs $12,200/year in Scranton. Religious schools run $6,500/year on the low end.

Salt Lake City

$9,400

avg tuition/year

$2,950 below national avg

Lower cost

Scranton

$12,200

avg tuition/year

$150 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Salt Lake City	Scranton	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$9,400/yr	$12,200/yr	-$2,800
Religious Schools	$6,500/yr	$7,800/yr	-$1,300
Independent/Prep	$18,700/yr	$28,300/yr	-$9,600
Elementary (K-5)	$8,000/yr	$10,400/yr	-$2,400
Middle School (6-8)	$9,400/yr	$12,200/yr	-$2,800
High School (9-12)	$11,300/yr	$14,600/yr	-$3,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Salt Lake City

$122,200

Scranton

$158,600

Choosing Salt Lake City saves $36,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $72,800.

Sample Schools

Salt Lake City

Judge Memorial Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

Utah Private Academy

Independent · K–12 · $9,800-$12,400/yr

Scranton

Holy Cross High School (Dunmore)

Catholic · 9–12 · $11,200/yr

Wyoming Seminary

Independent · 9–12 · $36,800-$42,000/yr

Full Salt Lake City breakdown → Full Scranton breakdown →

Utah private school costs Pennsylvania private school costs

About This Comparison

This comparison uses NCES Private School Universe Survey data, adjusted for metro-level cost-of-living differences. "Average tuition" blends religious schools (Catholic, Christian) and independent day/prep schools. Religious schools typically cost 60-70% less than independent schools in the same city.

Grade-level estimates (elementary, middle, high) are derived from the city average using national grade-level multipliers. High school tuition typically runs 15-25% above the city average; elementary runs 10-20% below.