Is private school cheaper in Chicago or Columbus?

Columbus has lower average private school tuition at $12,500/year vs $18,400/year in Chicago. That's $5,900/year less, or $76,700 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Columbus is $5,900/year less than Chicago. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $76,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $10,200/year in Chicago, $8,000/year in Columbus.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Chicago averages $18,400/year ($6,050 above average). Columbus averages $12,500/year ($150 above average).

Private School Cost: Chicago vs Columbus

Columbus averages $5,900/year less for private school (47% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $76,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Columbus is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $12,500/year vs $18,400/year in Chicago. Religious schools run $8,000/year on the low end.

Chicago

$18,400

avg tuition/year

$6,050 above national avg

Columbus

$12,500

avg tuition/year

$150 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Chicago	Columbus	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,400/yr	$12,500/yr	+$5,900
Religious Schools	$10,200/yr	$8,000/yr	+$2,200
Independent/Prep	$32,000/yr	$23,500/yr	+$8,500
Elementary (K-5)	$15,000/yr	$10,200/yr	+$4,800
Middle School (6-8)	$18,400/yr	$12,500/yr	+$5,900
High School (9-12)	$22,800/yr	$15,500/yr	+$7,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Chicago

$239,200

Columbus

$162,500

Choosing Columbus saves $76,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $153,400.

Sample Schools

Chicago

Latin School of Chicago

Independent · JK–12 · $38,040/yr

University of Chicago Laboratory Schools

Independent · N–12 · $35,700-$38,200/yr

Francis W. Parker School

Independent · JK–12 · $36,800/yr

St. Ignatius College Prep (Chicago)

Catholic · 9–12 · $19,400/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 Chicago breakdown → Full Columbus breakdown →

Illinois private school costs Ohio private school costs

Related Comparisons

New York vs Chicago → Chicago vs Indianapolis → Chicago vs Milwaukee → Columbus vs Cincinnati →

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.