Is private school cheaper in Cincinnati or Portland?

Cincinnati has lower average private school tuition at $11,800/year vs $18,200/year in Portland. That's $6,400/year less, or $83,200 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Cincinnati is $6,400/year less than Portland. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $83,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,600/year in Cincinnati, $10,400/year in Portland.

How do Cincinnati and Portland 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). Portland averages $18,200/year ($5,850 above average).

Private School Cost: Cincinnati vs Portland

Cincinnati averages $6,400/year less for private school (54% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $83,200 per child.

Bottom Line

Cincinnati is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,800/year vs $18,200/year in Portland. Religious schools run $7,600/year on the low end.

Cincinnati

$11,800

avg tuition/year

$550 below national avg

Lower cost

Portland

$18,200

avg tuition/year

$5,850 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Cincinnati	Portland	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,800/yr	$18,200/yr	-$6,400
Religious Schools	$7,600/yr	$10,400/yr	-$2,800
Independent/Prep	$22,000/yr	$31,500/yr	-$9,500
Elementary (K-5)	$9,600/yr	$14,800/yr	-$5,200
Middle School (6-8)	$11,800/yr	$18,200/yr	-$6,400
High School (9-12)	$14,600/yr	$22,500/yr	-$7,900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Cincinnati

$153,400

Portland

$236,600

Choosing Cincinnati saves $83,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $166,400.

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

Portland

Catlin Gabel School

Independent · PK–12 · $38,400-$41,200/yr

Oregon Episcopal School

Independent · PK–12 · $34,800/yr

Jesuit High School (Portland)

Catholic · 9–12 · $19,200/yr

Central Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Full Cincinnati breakdown → Full Portland breakdown →

Ohio private school costs Oregon private school costs

Related Comparisons

Columbus vs Cincinnati → Seattle vs Portland →

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.