Is private school cheaper in Bellevue or Cleveland?

Cleveland has lower average private school tuition at $11,200/year vs $18,600/year in Bellevue. That's $7,400/year less, or $96,200 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Cleveland is $7,400/year less than Bellevue. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $96,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $12,700/year in Bellevue, $7,400/year in Cleveland.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Bellevue averages $18,600/year ($6,250 above average). Cleveland averages $11,200/year ($1,150 below average).

Private School Cost: Bellevue vs Cleveland

Cleveland averages $7,400/year less for private school (66% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $96,200 per child.

Bottom Line

Cleveland is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,200/year vs $18,600/year in Bellevue. Religious schools run $7,400/year on the low end.

Bellevue

$18,600

avg tuition/year

$6,250 above national avg

Cleveland

$11,200

avg tuition/year

$1,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Bellevue	Cleveland	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,600/yr	$11,200/yr	+$7,400
Religious Schools	$12,700/yr	$7,400/yr	+$5,300
Independent/Prep	$39,700/yr	$21,000/yr	+$18,700
Elementary (K-5)	$15,800/yr	$9,200/yr	+$6,600
Middle School (6-8)	$18,600/yr	$11,200/yr	+$7,400
High School (9-12)	$22,300/yr	$13,800/yr	+$8,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Bellevue

$241,800

Cleveland

$145,600

Choosing Cleveland saves $96,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $192,400.

Sample Schools

Bellevue

The Overlake School

Independent · 5–12 · $37,800/yr

Bellevue Christian School

Christian · PK–12 · $14,200/yr

Bellarmine Preparatory School (Tacoma)

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,400/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 Bellevue breakdown → Full Cleveland breakdown →

Washington 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.