Is private school cheaper in Cincinnati or Cleveland?

Cleveland has lower average private school tuition at $11,200/year vs $11,800/year in Cincinnati. That's $600/year less, or $7,800 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Cleveland over Cincinnati?

Average tuition in Cleveland is $600/year less than Cincinnati. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $7,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,600/year in Cincinnati, $7,400/year in Cleveland.

How do Cincinnati and Cleveland private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Cincinnati averages $11,800/year ($550 below average). Cleveland averages $11,200/year ($1,150 below average).

Private School Cost: Cincinnati vs Cleveland

Cleveland averages $600/year less for private school (5% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $7,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Cleveland is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,200/year vs $11,800/year in Cincinnati. Religious schools run $7,400/year on the low end.

Cincinnati

$11,800

avg tuition/year

$550 below national avg

Cleveland

$11,200

avg tuition/year

$1,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Cincinnati	Cleveland	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,800/yr	$11,200/yr	+$600
Religious Schools	$7,600/yr	$7,400/yr	+$200
Independent/Prep	$22,000/yr	$21,000/yr	+$1,000
Elementary (K-5)	$9,600/yr	$9,200/yr	+$400
Middle School (6-8)	$11,800/yr	$11,200/yr	+$600
High School (9-12)	$14,600/yr	$13,800/yr	+$800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Cincinnati

$153,400

Cleveland

$145,600

Choosing Cleveland saves $7,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $15,600.

Sample Schools

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

Cleveland

University School (Cleveland)

Independent · JK–12 · $26,400-$28,800/yr

Laurel School (Cleveland)

Independent · PK–12 · $24,800-$27,200/yr

St. Ignatius High School (Cleveland)

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,800/yr

St. Edward High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,200/yr

Full Cincinnati breakdown → Full Cleveland breakdown →

Ohio private school costs

Related Comparisons

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.