Is private school cheaper in Bellevue or Columbus?

Columbus has lower average private school tuition at $12,500/year vs $18,600/year in Bellevue. That's $6,100/year less, or $79,300 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Columbus is $6,100/year less than Bellevue. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $79,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $12,700/year in Bellevue, $8,000/year in Columbus.

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

Private School Cost: Bellevue vs Columbus

Columbus averages $6,100/year less for private school (49% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $79,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Columbus is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $12,500/year vs $18,600/year in Bellevue. Religious schools run $8,000/year on the low end.

Bellevue

$18,600

avg tuition/year

$6,250 above national avg

Columbus

$12,500

avg tuition/year

$150 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Bellevue	Columbus	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,600/yr	$12,500/yr	+$6,100
Religious Schools	$12,700/yr	$8,000/yr	+$4,700
Independent/Prep	$39,700/yr	$23,500/yr	+$16,200
Elementary (K-5)	$15,800/yr	$10,200/yr	+$5,600
Middle School (6-8)	$18,600/yr	$12,500/yr	+$6,100
High School (9-12)	$22,300/yr	$15,500/yr	+$6,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Bellevue

$241,800

Columbus

$162,500

Choosing Columbus saves $79,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $158,600.

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

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 Bellevue breakdown → Full Columbus breakdown →

Washington private school costs Ohio private school costs

Related Comparisons

Chicago vs Columbus → Columbus vs Cincinnati → Minneapolis 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.