Is private school cheaper in Scranton or Waterbury?

Scranton has lower average private school tuition at $12,200/year vs $20,500/year in Waterbury. That's $8,300/year less, or $107,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Scranton is $8,300/year less than Waterbury. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $107,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,800/year in Scranton, $11,300/year in Waterbury.

How do Scranton and Waterbury 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). Waterbury averages $20,500/year ($8,150 above average).

Private School Cost: Scranton vs Waterbury

Scranton averages $8,300/year less for private school (68% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $107,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Scranton is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $12,200/year vs $20,500/year in Waterbury. Religious schools run $7,800/year on the low end.

Scranton

$12,200

avg tuition/year

$150 below national avg

Lower cost

Waterbury

$20,500

avg tuition/year

$8,150 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Scranton	Waterbury	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$12,200/yr	$20,500/yr	-$8,300
Religious Schools	$7,800/yr	$11,300/yr	-$3,500
Independent/Prep	$28,300/yr	$40,800/yr	-$12,500
Elementary (K-5)	$10,400/yr	$17,400/yr	-$7,000
Middle School (6-8)	$12,200/yr	$20,500/yr	-$8,300
High School (9-12)	$14,600/yr	$24,600/yr	-$10,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Scranton

$158,600

Waterbury

$266,500

Choosing Scranton saves $107,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $215,800.

Sample Schools

Scranton

Holy Cross High School (Dunmore)

Catholic · 9–12 · $11,200/yr

Wyoming Seminary

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

Waterbury

Holy Cross High School (Waterbury)

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Crosby High School (Waterbury)

Independent · 9–12 · $9,800/yr

Full Scranton breakdown → Full Waterbury breakdown →

Pennsylvania private school costs Connecticut 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.