Is private school cheaper in Akron or Columbia?

Columbia has lower average private school tuition at $8,200/year vs $8,400/year in Akron. That's $200/year less, or $2,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Columbia is $200/year less than Akron. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $2,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,000/year in Akron, $6,000/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 $8,200/year ($4,150 below average).

Private School Cost: Akron vs Columbia

Columbia averages $200/year less for private school (2% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $2,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Columbia is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,200/year vs $8,400/year in Akron. Religious schools run $6,000/year on the low end.

Akron

$8,400

avg tuition/year

$3,950 below national avg

Columbia

$8,200

avg tuition/year

$4,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Akron	Columbia	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$8,400/yr	$8,200/yr	+$200
Religious Schools	$6,000/yr	$6,000/yr	Same
Independent/Prep	$19,500/yr	$17,000/yr	+$2,500
Elementary (K-5)	$7,100/yr	$7,000/yr	+$100
Middle School (6-8)	$8,400/yr	$8,200/yr	+$200
High School (9-12)	$10,100/yr	$9,800/yr	+$300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Akron

$109,200

Columbia

$106,600

Choosing Columbia saves $2,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $5,200.

Sample Schools

Akron

Walsh Jesuit High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,200/yr

Firestone CLC Academy (Akron)

Independent · K–12 · $10,800/yr

Columbia

Hammond School (Columbia SC)

Independent · PK–12 · $16,400/yr

Cardinal Newman School (Columbia SC)

Catholic · PK–12 · $11,200/yr

Full Akron breakdown → Full Columbia breakdown →

Ohio private school costs South Carolina 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.