Is private school cheaper in Cary or Columbus?

Cary has lower average private school tuition at $11,500/year vs $12,500/year in Columbus. That's $1,000/year less, or $13,000 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Cary is $1,000/year less than Columbus. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $13,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,100/year in Cary, $8,000/year in Columbus.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Cary averages $11,500/year ($850 below average). Columbus averages $12,500/year ($150 above average).

Private School Cost: Cary vs Columbus

Cary averages $1,000/year less for private school (9% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $13,000 per child.

Bottom Line

Cary is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,500/year vs $12,500/year in Columbus. Religious schools run $8,000/year on the low end.

Cary

$11,500

avg tuition/year

$850 below national avg

Lower cost

Columbus

$12,500

avg tuition/year

$150 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Cary	Columbus	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,500/yr	$12,500/yr	-$1,000
Religious Schools	$8,100/yr	$8,000/yr	+$100
Independent/Prep	$24,100/yr	$23,500/yr	+$600
Elementary (K-5)	$9,800/yr	$10,200/yr	-$400
Middle School (6-8)	$11,500/yr	$12,500/yr	-$1,000
High School (9-12)	$13,800/yr	$15,500/yr	-$1,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Cary

$149,500

Columbus

$162,500

Choosing Cary saves $13,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $26,000.

Sample Schools

Cary

Cary Academy

Independent · 6–12 · $25,800/yr

Thales Academy (Cary)

Independent · K–12 · $7,200-$9,400/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 Cary breakdown → Full Columbus breakdown →

North Carolina 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.