Is private school cheaper in Athens or Dayton?

Dayton has lower average private school tuition at $8,100/year vs $10,100/year in Athens. That's $2,000/year less, or $26,000 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Dayton over Athens?

Average tuition in Dayton is $2,000/year less than Athens. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $26,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,000/year in Athens, $5,700/year in Dayton.

How do Athens and Dayton private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Athens averages $10,100/year ($2,250 below average). Dayton averages $8,100/year ($4,250 below average).

Private School Cost: Athens vs Dayton

Dayton averages $2,000/year less for private school (25% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $26,000 per child.

Bottom Line

Dayton is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,100/year vs $10,100/year in Athens. Religious schools run $5,700/year on the low end.

Athens

$10,100

avg tuition/year

$2,250 below national avg

Dayton

$8,100

avg tuition/year

$4,250 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Athens	Dayton	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$10,100/yr	$8,100/yr	+$2,000
Religious Schools	$7,000/yr	$5,700/yr	+$1,300
Independent/Prep	$20,500/yr	$18,700/yr	+$1,800
Elementary (K-5)	$8,600/yr	$6,900/yr	+$1,700
Middle School (6-8)	$10,100/yr	$8,100/yr	+$2,000
High School (9-12)	$12,100/yr	$9,700/yr	+$2,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Athens

$131,300

Dayton

$105,300

Choosing Dayton saves $26,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $52,000.

Sample Schools

Athens

Athens Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $18,200/yr

Prince Avenue Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $9,800-$12,200/yr

Dayton

Chaminade Julienne Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $11,400/yr

Dayton Christian Schools

Christian · K–12 · $9,600-$12,000/yr

Full Athens breakdown → Full Dayton breakdown →

Georgia 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.