Is private school cheaper in Akron or Columbus?

Akron has lower average private school tuition at $8,400/year vs $12,500/year in Columbus. That's $4,100/year less, or $53,300 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Akron is $4,100/year less than Columbus. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $53,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,000/year in Akron, $8,000/year in Columbus.

How do Akron and Columbus 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). Columbus averages $12,500/year ($150 above average).

Private School Cost: Akron vs Columbus

Akron averages $4,100/year less for private school (49% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $53,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Akron is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,400/year vs $12,500/year in Columbus. Religious schools run $6,000/year on the low end.

Akron

$8,400

avg tuition/year

$3,950 below national avg

Lower cost

Columbus

$12,500

avg tuition/year

$150 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Akron	Columbus	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$8,400/yr	$12,500/yr	-$4,100
Religious Schools	$6,000/yr	$8,000/yr	-$2,000
Independent/Prep	$19,500/yr	$23,500/yr	-$4,000
Elementary (K-5)	$7,100/yr	$10,200/yr	-$3,100
Middle School (6-8)	$8,400/yr	$12,500/yr	-$4,100
High School (9-12)	$10,100/yr	$15,500/yr	-$5,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Akron

$109,200

Columbus

$162,500

Choosing Akron saves $53,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $106,600.

Sample Schools

Akron

Walsh Jesuit High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,200/yr

Firestone CLC Academy (Akron)

Independent · K–12 · $10,800/yr

Columbus

Columbus School for Girls

Independent · PK–12 · $22,400-$24,800/yr

Columbus Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $24,200-$26,800/yr

DeSales High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,800/yr

Watterson Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,400/yr

Full Akron breakdown → Full Columbus breakdown →

Ohio private school costs

Related Comparisons

Chicago vs Columbus → Columbus vs Cincinnati → Minneapolis vs Columbus →

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.