Is private school cheaper in Boston or Cincinnati?

Cincinnati has lower average private school tuition at $11,800/year vs $36,800/year in Boston. That's $25,000/year less, or $325,000 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Cincinnati over Boston?

Average tuition in Cincinnati is $25,000/year less than Boston. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $325,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $18,500/year in Boston, $7,600/year in Cincinnati.

How do Boston and Cincinnati private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Boston averages $36,800/year ($24,450 above average). Cincinnati averages $11,800/year ($550 below average).

Private School Cost: Boston vs Cincinnati

Cincinnati averages $25,000/year less for private school (212% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $325,000 per child.

Bottom Line

Cincinnati is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,800/year vs $36,800/year in Boston. Religious schools run $7,600/year on the low end.

Boston

$36,800

avg tuition/year

$24,450 above national avg

Cincinnati

$11,800

avg tuition/year

$550 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Boston	Cincinnati	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$36,800/yr	$11,800/yr	+$25,000
Religious Schools	$18,500/yr	$7,600/yr	+$10,900
Independent/Prep	$56,000/yr	$22,000/yr	+$34,000
Elementary (K-5)	$30,000/yr	$9,600/yr	+$20,400
Middle School (6-8)	$36,800/yr	$11,800/yr	+$25,000
High School (9-12)	$46,000/yr	$14,600/yr	+$31,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Boston

$478,400

Cincinnati

$153,400

Choosing Cincinnati saves $325,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $650,000.

Sample Schools

Boston

Boston Latin School (Exam)

Exam School (Public) · 7–12

Roxbury Latin School

Independent (need-based) · 7–12

Belmont Hill School

Independent · 7–12 · $59,800/yr

Boston College High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $23,100/yr

Cincinnati

Cincinnati Country Day School

Independent · PK–12 · $24,400-$26,800/yr

Seven Hills School

Independent · PK–12 · $22,800-$25,200/yr

Moeller High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,800/yr

Elder High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

Full Boston breakdown → Full Cincinnati breakdown →

Massachusetts private school costs Ohio private school costs

Related Comparisons

New York vs Boston → Columbus vs Cincinnati → Boston vs Phoenix → Boston vs Philadelphia →

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.