Is private school cheaper in Austin or Cleveland?

Cleveland has lower average private school tuition at $11,200/year vs $15,500/year in Austin. That's $4,300/year less, or $55,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Cleveland is $4,300/year less than Austin. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $55,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,400/year in Austin, $7,400/year in Cleveland.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Austin averages $15,500/year ($3,150 above average). Cleveland averages $11,200/year ($1,150 below average).

Private School Cost: Austin vs Cleveland

Cleveland averages $4,300/year less for private school (38% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $55,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Cleveland is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,200/year vs $15,500/year in Austin. Religious schools run $7,400/year on the low end.

Austin

$15,500

avg tuition/year

$3,150 above national avg

Cleveland

$11,200

avg tuition/year

$1,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Austin	Cleveland	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$15,500/yr	$11,200/yr	+$4,300
Religious Schools	$9,400/yr	$7,400/yr	+$2,000
Independent/Prep	$28,200/yr	$21,000/yr	+$7,200
Elementary (K-5)	$12,800/yr	$9,200/yr	+$3,600
Middle School (6-8)	$15,500/yr	$11,200/yr	+$4,300
High School (9-12)	$19,200/yr	$13,800/yr	+$5,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Austin

$201,500

Cleveland

$145,600

Choosing Cleveland saves $55,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $111,800.

Sample Schools

Austin

St. Andrew's Episcopal School (Austin)

Independent · PK–12 · $32,800-$35,400/yr

Austin Preparatory School

Catholic · 6–12 · $14,200/yr

St. Michael's Catholic Academy

Catholic · 9–12 · $15,800/yr

Hyde Park Baptist School

Christian · PK–12 · $13,400-$15,200/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 Austin breakdown → Full Cleveland breakdown →

Texas private school costs Ohio private school costs

Related Comparisons

Houston vs Austin → Dallas vs Austin → Austin vs San Antonio → Austin vs Raleigh →

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.