Is private school cheaper in Boise or Columbus?

Boise has lower average private school tuition at $8,000/year vs $12,500/year in Columbus. That's $4,500/year less, or $58,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Boise is $4,500/year less than Columbus. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $58,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,500/year in Boise, $8,000/year in Columbus.

How do Boise and Columbus private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Boise averages $8,000/year ($4,350 below average). Columbus averages $12,500/year ($150 above average).

Private School Cost: Boise vs Columbus

Boise averages $4,500/year less for private school (56% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $58,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Boise is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,000/year vs $12,500/year in Columbus. Religious schools run $5,500/year on the low end.

Boise

$8,000

avg tuition/year

$4,350 below national avg

Lower cost

Columbus

$12,500

avg tuition/year

$150 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Boise	Columbus	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$8,000/yr	$12,500/yr	-$4,500
Religious Schools	$5,500/yr	$8,000/yr	-$2,500
Independent/Prep	$15,500/yr	$23,500/yr	-$8,000
Elementary (K-5)	$6,800/yr	$10,200/yr	-$3,400
Middle School (6-8)	$8,000/yr	$12,500/yr	-$4,500
High School (9-12)	$9,600/yr	$15,500/yr	-$5,900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Boise

$104,000

Columbus

$162,500

Choosing Boise saves $58,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $117,000.

Sample Schools

Boise

The Ambrose School (Boise)

Christian Classical · PK–12 · $12,200-$14,800/yr

Boise Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/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 Boise breakdown → Full Columbus breakdown →

Idaho 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.