Is private school cheaper in Scranton or Syracuse?

Scranton has lower average private school tuition at $12,200/year vs $18,500/year in Syracuse. That's $6,300/year less, or $81,900 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Scranton over Syracuse?

Average tuition in Scranton is $6,300/year less than Syracuse. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $81,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,800/year in Scranton, $10,600/year in Syracuse.

How do Scranton and Syracuse private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Scranton averages $12,200/year ($150 below average). Syracuse averages $18,500/year ($6,150 above average).

Private School Cost: Scranton vs Syracuse

Scranton averages $6,300/year less for private school (52% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $81,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Scranton is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $12,200/year vs $18,500/year in Syracuse. Religious schools run $7,800/year on the low end.

Scranton

$12,200

avg tuition/year

$150 below national avg

Lower cost

Syracuse

$18,500

avg tuition/year

$6,150 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Scranton	Syracuse	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$12,200/yr	$18,500/yr	-$6,300
Religious Schools	$7,800/yr	$10,600/yr	-$2,800
Independent/Prep	$28,300/yr	$39,400/yr	-$11,100
Elementary (K-5)	$10,400/yr	$15,700/yr	-$5,300
Middle School (6-8)	$12,200/yr	$18,500/yr	-$6,300
High School (9-12)	$14,600/yr	$22,200/yr	-$7,600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Scranton

$158,600

Syracuse

$240,500

Choosing Scranton saves $81,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $163,800.

Sample Schools

Scranton

Holy Cross High School (Dunmore)

Catholic · 9–12 · $11,200/yr

Wyoming Seminary

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

Syracuse

Christian Brothers Academy (Syracuse)

Catholic · 7–12 · $16,200/yr

Bishop Grimes Jr/Sr High School

Catholic · 7–12 · $12,400/yr

Full Scranton breakdown → Full Syracuse breakdown →

Pennsylvania private school costs New York 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.