Is private school cheaper in Albuquerque or Columbus?

Albuquerque has lower average private school tuition at $10,200/year vs $12,500/year in Columbus. That's $2,300/year less, or $29,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Albuquerque is $2,300/year less than Columbus. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $29,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,000/year in Albuquerque, $8,000/year in Columbus.

How do Albuquerque and Columbus private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Albuquerque averages $10,200/year ($2,150 below average). Columbus averages $12,500/year ($150 above average).

Private School Cost: Albuquerque vs Columbus

Albuquerque averages $2,300/year less for private school (23% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $29,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Albuquerque is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,200/year vs $12,500/year in Columbus. Religious schools run $7,000/year on the low end.

Albuquerque

$10,200

avg tuition/year

$2,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Columbus

$12,500

avg tuition/year

$150 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Albuquerque	Columbus	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$10,200/yr	$12,500/yr	-$2,300
Religious Schools	$7,000/yr	$8,000/yr	-$1,000
Independent/Prep	$19,000/yr	$23,500/yr	-$4,500
Elementary (K-5)	$8,400/yr	$10,200/yr	-$1,800
Middle School (6-8)	$10,200/yr	$12,500/yr	-$2,300
High School (9-12)	$12,500/yr	$15,500/yr	-$3,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Albuquerque

$132,600

Columbus

$162,500

Choosing Albuquerque saves $29,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $59,800.

Sample Schools

Albuquerque

Albuquerque Academy

Independent · 6–12 · $20,800-$22,400/yr

Sandia Preparatory School

Independent · 6–12 · $18,400/yr

St. Pius X High School (Albuquerque)

Catholic · 9–12 · $10,800/yr

Bosque School

Independent · 6–12 · $19,800-$21,400/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 Albuquerque breakdown → Full Columbus breakdown →

New Mexico private school costs 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.