Is private school cheaper in Burlington or Columbus?

Columbus has lower average private school tuition at $12,500/year vs $18,200/year in Burlington. That's $5,700/year less, or $74,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Columbus is $5,700/year less than Burlington. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $74,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $11,000/year in Burlington, $8,000/year in Columbus.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Burlington averages $18,200/year ($5,850 above average). Columbus averages $12,500/year ($150 above average).

Private School Cost: Burlington vs Columbus

Columbus averages $5,700/year less for private school (46% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $74,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Columbus is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $12,500/year vs $18,200/year in Burlington. Religious schools run $8,000/year on the low end.

Burlington

$18,200

avg tuition/year

$5,850 above national avg

Columbus

$12,500

avg tuition/year

$150 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Burlington	Columbus	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,200/yr	$12,500/yr	+$5,700
Religious Schools	$11,000/yr	$8,000/yr	+$3,000
Independent/Prep	$39,800/yr	$23,500/yr	+$16,300
Elementary (K-5)	$15,500/yr	$10,200/yr	+$5,300
Middle School (6-8)	$18,200/yr	$12,500/yr	+$5,700
High School (9-12)	$21,800/yr	$15,500/yr	+$6,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Burlington

$236,600

Columbus

$162,500

Choosing Columbus saves $74,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $148,200.

Sample Schools

Burlington

Rice Memorial High School (Burlington VT)

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,200/yr

Champlain Valley 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 Burlington breakdown → Full Columbus breakdown →

Vermont 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.