Private School Cost: Cedar Rapids vs Cincinnati
Cedar Rapids averages $5,000/year less for private school (74% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $65,000 per child.
Bottom Line
Cedar Rapids is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,800/year vs $11,800/year in Cincinnati. Religious schools run $4,800/year on the low end.
Cedar Rapids
IA
$6,800
avg tuition/year
Cincinnati
OH
$11,800
avg tuition/year
Tuition by School Type & Grade
| Category | Cedar Rapids | Cincinnati | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Schools (Average) | $6,800/yr | $11,800/yr | -$5,000 |
| Religious Schools | $4,800/yr | $7,600/yr | -$2,800 |
| Independent/Prep | $14,300/yr | $22,000/yr | -$7,700 |
| Elementary (K-5) | $5,800/yr | $9,600/yr | -$3,800 |
| Middle School (6-8) | $6,800/yr | $11,800/yr | -$5,000 |
| High School (9-12) | $8,200/yr | $14,600/yr | -$6,400 |
K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)
Cedar Rapids
$88,400
Cincinnati
$153,400
Choosing Cedar Rapids saves $65,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $130,000.
Sample Schools
Cedar Rapids
Xavier High School (Cedar Rapids)
Catholic · 9–12 · $9,400/yr
Cedar Rapids Christian School
Christian · K–12 · $8,400-$10,400/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
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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.