Is private school cheaper in Cincinnati or Lowell?

Cincinnati has lower average private school tuition at $11,800/year vs $23,600/year in Lowell. That's $11,800/year less, or $153,400 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Cincinnati is $11,800/year less than Lowell. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $153,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,600/year in Cincinnati, $12,800/year in Lowell.

How do Cincinnati and Lowell 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). Lowell averages $23,600/year ($11,250 above average).

Private School Cost: Cincinnati vs Lowell

Cincinnati averages $11,800/year less for private school (100% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $153,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Cincinnati is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,800/year vs $23,600/year in Lowell. Religious schools run $7,600/year on the low end.

Cincinnati

$11,800

avg tuition/year

$550 below national avg

Lower cost

Lowell

$23,600

avg tuition/year

$11,250 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Cincinnati	Lowell	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,800/yr	$23,600/yr	-$11,800
Religious Schools	$7,600/yr	$12,800/yr	-$5,200
Independent/Prep	$22,000/yr	$48,100/yr	-$26,100
Elementary (K-5)	$9,600/yr	$20,100/yr	-$10,500
Middle School (6-8)	$11,800/yr	$23,600/yr	-$11,800
High School (9-12)	$14,600/yr	$28,300/yr	-$13,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Cincinnati

$153,400

Lowell

$306,800

Choosing Cincinnati saves $153,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $306,800.

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

Lowell

Lowell Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

St. Michael Academy (Lowell)

Catholic · K–8 · $10,800-$12,800/yr

Full Cincinnati breakdown → Full Lowell breakdown →

Ohio private school costs Massachusetts 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.