Is private school cheaper in Albany or Cleveland?

Cleveland has lower average private school tuition at $11,200/year vs $19,700/year in Albany. That's $8,500/year less, or $110,500 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Cleveland over Albany?

Average tuition in Cleveland is $8,500/year less than Albany. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $110,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $11,300/year in Albany, $7,400/year in Cleveland.

How do Albany and Cleveland private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Albany averages $19,700/year ($7,350 above average). Cleveland averages $11,200/year ($1,150 below average).

Private School Cost: Albany vs Cleveland

Cleveland averages $8,500/year less for private school (76% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $110,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Cleveland is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,200/year vs $19,700/year in Albany. Religious schools run $7,400/year on the low end.

Albany

$19,700

avg tuition/year

$7,350 above national avg

Cleveland

$11,200

avg tuition/year

$1,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Albany	Cleveland	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$19,700/yr	$11,200/yr	+$8,500
Religious Schools	$11,300/yr	$7,400/yr	+$3,900
Independent/Prep	$41,900/yr	$21,000/yr	+$20,900
Elementary (K-5)	$16,700/yr	$9,200/yr	+$7,500
Middle School (6-8)	$19,700/yr	$11,200/yr	+$8,500
High School (9-12)	$23,600/yr	$13,800/yr	+$9,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Albany

$256,100

Cleveland

$145,600

Choosing Cleveland saves $110,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $221,000.

Sample Schools

Albany

Albany Academy (NY)

Independent · PK–12 · $28,400/yr

Vincentian Institute

Catholic · PK–12 · $12,800/yr

Cleveland

University School (Cleveland)

Independent · JK–12 · $26,400-$28,800/yr

Laurel School (Cleveland)

Independent · PK–12 · $24,800-$27,200/yr

St. Ignatius High School (Cleveland)

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,800/yr

St. Edward High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,200/yr

Full Albany breakdown → Full Cleveland breakdown →

New York private school costs Ohio 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.