Private School Cost: Cincinnati vs Dayton
Dayton averages $3,700/year less for private school (46% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $48,100 per child.
Bottom Line
Dayton is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,100/year vs $11,800/year in Cincinnati. Religious schools run $5,700/year on the low end.
Cincinnati
OH
$11,800
avg tuition/year
Dayton
OH
$8,100
avg tuition/year
Tuition by School Type & Grade
| Category | Cincinnati | Dayton | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Schools (Average) | $11,800/yr | $8,100/yr | +$3,700 |
| Religious Schools | $7,600/yr | $5,700/yr | +$1,900 |
| Independent/Prep | $22,000/yr | $18,700/yr | +$3,300 |
| Elementary (K-5) | $9,600/yr | $6,900/yr | +$2,700 |
| Middle School (6-8) | $11,800/yr | $8,100/yr | +$3,700 |
| High School (9-12) | $14,600/yr | $9,700/yr | +$4,900 |
K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)
Cincinnati
$153,400
Dayton
$105,300
Choosing Dayton saves $48,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $96,200.
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
Dayton
Chaminade Julienne Catholic High School
Catholic · 9–12 · $11,400/yr
Dayton Christian Schools
Christian · K–12 · $9,600-$12,000/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.