Is private school cheaper in Buffalo or Columbus?

Columbus has lower average private school tuition at $12,500/year vs $18,500/year in Buffalo. That's $6,000/year less, or $78,000 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Columbus is $6,000/year less than Buffalo. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $78,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $10,600/year in Buffalo, $8,000/year in Columbus.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Buffalo averages $18,500/year ($6,150 above average). Columbus averages $12,500/year ($150 above average).

Private School Cost: Buffalo vs Columbus

Columbus averages $6,000/year less for private school (48% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $78,000 per child.

Bottom Line

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

Buffalo

$18,500

avg tuition/year

$6,150 above national avg

Columbus

$12,500

avg tuition/year

$150 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Buffalo	Columbus	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,500/yr	$12,500/yr	+$6,000
Religious Schools	$10,600/yr	$8,000/yr	+$2,600
Independent/Prep	$39,400/yr	$23,500/yr	+$15,900
Elementary (K-5)	$15,700/yr	$10,200/yr	+$5,500
Middle School (6-8)	$18,500/yr	$12,500/yr	+$6,000
High School (9-12)	$22,200/yr	$15,500/yr	+$6,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Buffalo

$240,500

Columbus

$162,500

Choosing Columbus saves $78,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $156,000.

Sample Schools

Buffalo

Canisius High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,200/yr

Buffalo Seminary

Independent · 7–12 · $22,400/yr

Nardin Academy

Catholic · PK–12 · $16,800/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 Buffalo breakdown → Full Columbus breakdown →

New York 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.