Private School Cost: Scranton vs West Palm Beach
West Palm Beach averages $900/year less for private school (8% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $11,700 per child.
Bottom Line
West Palm Beach is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,300/year vs $12,200/year in Scranton. Religious schools run $7,800/year on the low end.
Scranton
PA
$12,200
avg tuition/year
West Palm Beach
FL
$11,300
avg tuition/year
Tuition by School Type & Grade
| Category | Scranton | West Palm Beach | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Schools (Average) | $12,200/yr | $11,300/yr | +$900 |
| Religious Schools | $7,800/yr | $7,800/yr | Same |
| Independent/Prep | $28,300/yr | $23,200/yr | +$5,100 |
| Elementary (K-5) | $10,400/yr | $9,600/yr | +$800 |
| Middle School (6-8) | $12,200/yr | $11,300/yr | +$900 |
| High School (9-12) | $14,600/yr | $13,600/yr | +$1,000 |
K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)
Scranton
$158,600
West Palm Beach
$146,900
Choosing West Palm Beach saves $11,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $23,400.
Sample Schools
Scranton
Holy Cross High School (Dunmore)
Catholic · 9–12 · $11,200/yr
Wyoming Seminary
Independent · 9–12 · $36,800-$42,000/yr
West Palm Beach
Palm Beach Day Academy
Independent · PK–8 · $32,400/yr
Cardinal Newman High School (WPB)
Catholic · 9–12 · $15,200/yr
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.