Is private school cheaper in Scranton or Tacoma?

Scranton has lower average private school tuition at $12,200/year vs $13,700/year in Tacoma. That's $1,500/year less, or $19,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Scranton is $1,500/year less than Tacoma. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $19,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,800/year in Scranton, $9,400/year in Tacoma.

How do Scranton and Tacoma 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). Tacoma averages $13,700/year ($1,350 above average).

Private School Cost: Scranton vs Tacoma

Scranton averages $1,500/year less for private school (12% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $19,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Scranton is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $12,200/year vs $13,700/year in Tacoma. Religious schools run $7,800/year on the low end.

Scranton

$12,200

avg tuition/year

$150 below national avg

Lower cost

Tacoma

$13,700

avg tuition/year

$1,350 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Scranton	Tacoma	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$12,200/yr	$13,700/yr	-$1,500
Religious Schools	$7,800/yr	$9,400/yr	-$1,600
Independent/Prep	$28,300/yr	$29,400/yr	-$1,100
Elementary (K-5)	$10,400/yr	$11,600/yr	-$1,200
Middle School (6-8)	$12,200/yr	$13,700/yr	-$1,500
High School (9-12)	$14,600/yr	$16,400/yr	-$1,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Scranton

$158,600

Tacoma

$178,100

Choosing Scranton saves $19,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $39,000.

Sample Schools

Scranton

Holy Cross High School (Dunmore)

Catholic · 9–12 · $11,200/yr

Wyoming Seminary

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

Tacoma

Charles Wright Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $28,400/yr

Bellarmine Preparatory School

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,400/yr

Full Scranton breakdown → Full Tacoma breakdown →

Pennsylvania private school costs Washington 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.