Is private school cheaper in Austin or Columbus?

Columbus has lower average private school tuition at $12,500/year vs $15,500/year in Austin. That's $3,000/year less, or $39,000 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Columbus is $3,000/year less than Austin. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $39,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,400/year in Austin, $8,000/year in Columbus.

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

Private School Cost: Austin vs Columbus

Columbus averages $3,000/year less for private school (24% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $39,000 per child.

Bottom Line

Columbus is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $12,500/year vs $15,500/year in Austin. Religious schools run $8,000/year on the low end.

Austin

$15,500

avg tuition/year

$3,150 above national avg

Columbus

$12,500

avg tuition/year

$150 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Austin	Columbus	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$15,500/yr	$12,500/yr	+$3,000
Religious Schools	$9,400/yr	$8,000/yr	+$1,400
Independent/Prep	$28,200/yr	$23,500/yr	+$4,700
Elementary (K-5)	$12,800/yr	$10,200/yr	+$2,600
Middle School (6-8)	$15,500/yr	$12,500/yr	+$3,000
High School (9-12)	$19,200/yr	$15,500/yr	+$3,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Austin

$201,500

Columbus

$162,500

Choosing Columbus saves $39,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $78,000.

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

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 Austin breakdown → Full Columbus breakdown →

Texas private school costs Ohio private school costs

Related Comparisons

Houston vs Austin → Dallas vs Austin → Austin vs San Antonio → Chicago 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.