Is private school cheaper in Akron or Buffalo?

Akron has lower average private school tuition at $8,400/year vs $18,500/year in Buffalo. That's $10,100/year less, or $131,300 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Akron over Buffalo?

Average tuition in Akron is $10,100/year less than Buffalo. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $131,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,000/year in Akron, $10,600/year in Buffalo.

How do Akron and Buffalo private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Akron averages $8,400/year ($3,950 below average). Buffalo averages $18,500/year ($6,150 above average).

Private School Cost: Akron vs Buffalo

Akron averages $10,100/year less for private school (120% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $131,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Akron is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,400/year vs $18,500/year in Buffalo. Religious schools run $6,000/year on the low end.

Akron

$8,400

avg tuition/year

$3,950 below national avg

Lower cost

Buffalo

$18,500

avg tuition/year

$6,150 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Akron	Buffalo	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$8,400/yr	$18,500/yr	-$10,100
Religious Schools	$6,000/yr	$10,600/yr	-$4,600
Independent/Prep	$19,500/yr	$39,400/yr	-$19,900
Elementary (K-5)	$7,100/yr	$15,700/yr	-$8,600
Middle School (6-8)	$8,400/yr	$18,500/yr	-$10,100
High School (9-12)	$10,100/yr	$22,200/yr	-$12,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Akron

$109,200

Buffalo

$240,500

Choosing Akron saves $131,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $262,600.

Sample Schools

Akron

Walsh Jesuit High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,200/yr

Firestone CLC Academy (Akron)

Independent · K–12 · $10,800/yr

Buffalo

Canisius High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,200/yr

Buffalo Seminary

Independent · 7–12 · $22,400/yr

Nardin Academy

Catholic · PK–12 · $16,800/yr

Full Akron breakdown → Full Buffalo breakdown →

Ohio 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.