Is private school cheaper in Boulder or Columbus?

Columbus has lower average private school tuition at $12,500/year vs $15,200/year in Boulder. That's $2,700/year less, or $35,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Columbus is $2,700/year less than Boulder. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $35,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,900/year in Boulder, $8,000/year in Columbus.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Boulder averages $15,200/year ($2,850 above average). Columbus averages $12,500/year ($150 above average).

Private School Cost: Boulder vs Columbus

Columbus averages $2,700/year less for private school (22% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $35,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Columbus is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $12,500/year vs $15,200/year in Boulder. Religious schools run $8,000/year on the low end.

Boulder

$15,200

avg tuition/year

$2,850 above national avg

Columbus

$12,500

avg tuition/year

$150 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Boulder	Columbus	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$15,200/yr	$12,500/yr	+$2,700
Religious Schools	$9,900/yr	$8,000/yr	+$1,900
Independent/Prep	$29,900/yr	$23,500/yr	+$6,400
Elementary (K-5)	$12,900/yr	$10,200/yr	+$2,700
Middle School (6-8)	$15,200/yr	$12,500/yr	+$2,700
High School (9-12)	$18,200/yr	$15,500/yr	+$2,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Boulder

$197,600

Columbus

$162,500

Choosing Columbus saves $35,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $70,200.

Sample Schools

Boulder

Naropa University Lab School

Independent · K–8 · $18,400/yr

Dawson School

Independent · PK–12 · $26,800/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 Boulder breakdown → Full Columbus breakdown →

Colorado 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.