Is private school cheaper in Baltimore or Cleveland?

Cleveland has lower average private school tuition at $11,200/year vs $18,500/year in Baltimore. That's $7,300/year less, or $94,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Cleveland is $7,300/year less than Baltimore. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $94,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $10,800/year in Baltimore, $7,400/year in Cleveland.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Baltimore averages $18,500/year ($6,150 above average). Cleveland averages $11,200/year ($1,150 below average).

Private School Cost: Baltimore vs Cleveland

Cleveland averages $7,300/year less for private school (65% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $94,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Cleveland is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,200/year vs $18,500/year in Baltimore. Religious schools run $7,400/year on the low end.

Baltimore

$18,500

avg tuition/year

$6,150 above national avg

Cleveland

$11,200

avg tuition/year

$1,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Baltimore	Cleveland	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,500/yr	$11,200/yr	+$7,300
Religious Schools	$10,800/yr	$7,400/yr	+$3,400
Independent/Prep	$34,000/yr	$21,000/yr	+$13,000
Elementary (K-5)	$15,200/yr	$9,200/yr	+$6,000
Middle School (6-8)	$18,500/yr	$11,200/yr	+$7,300
High School (9-12)	$23,000/yr	$13,800/yr	+$9,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Baltimore

$240,500

Cleveland

$145,600

Choosing Cleveland saves $94,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $189,800.

Sample Schools

Baltimore

Gilman School

Independent · K–12 · $38,200-$40,800/yr

Roland Park Country School

Independent · K–12 · $36,800/yr

Calvert Hall College High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $19,400/yr

Loyola Blakefield

Catholic · 6–12 · $24,800/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 Baltimore breakdown → Full Cleveland breakdown →

Maryland 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.