Is private school cheaper in Akron or Columbia?

Columbia has lower average private school tuition at $8,300/year vs $8,400/year in Akron. That's $100/year less, or $1,300 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Columbia is $100/year less than Akron. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $1,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,000/year in Akron, $5,900/year in Columbia.

How do Akron and Columbia 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). Columbia averages $8,300/year ($4,050 below average).

Private School Cost: Akron vs Columbia

Columbia averages $100/year less for private school (1% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $1,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Columbia is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,300/year vs $8,400/year in Akron. Religious schools run $5,900/year on the low end.

Akron

$8,400

avg tuition/year

$3,950 below national avg

Columbia

$8,300

avg tuition/year

$4,050 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Akron	Columbia	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$8,400/yr	$8,300/yr	+$100
Religious Schools	$6,000/yr	$5,900/yr	+$100
Independent/Prep	$19,500/yr	$19,500/yr	Same
Elementary (K-5)	$7,100/yr	$7,100/yr	Same
Middle School (6-8)	$8,400/yr	$8,300/yr	+$100
High School (9-12)	$10,100/yr	$10,000/yr	+$100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Akron

$109,200

Columbia

$107,900

Choosing Columbia saves $1,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $2,600.

Sample Schools

Akron

Walsh Jesuit High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,200/yr

Firestone CLC Academy (Akron)

Independent · K–12 · $10,800/yr

Columbia

Columbia Independent School

Independent · PK–8 · $12,800/yr

Calvary Lutheran School (Columbia MO)

Lutheran · PK–8 · $8,400-$10,400/yr

Full Akron breakdown → Full Columbia breakdown →

Ohio private school costs Missouri 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.