Is private school cheaper in Cincinnati or San Francisco?

Cincinnati has lower average private school tuition at $11,800/year vs $34,200/year in San Francisco. That's $22,400/year less, or $291,200 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Cincinnati is $22,400/year less than San Francisco. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $291,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,600/year in Cincinnati, $16,000/year in San Francisco.

How do Cincinnati and San Francisco 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). San Francisco averages $34,200/year ($21,850 above average).

Private School Cost: Cincinnati vs San Francisco

Cincinnati averages $22,400/year less for private school (190% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $291,200 per child.

Bottom Line

Cincinnati is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,800/year vs $34,200/year in San Francisco. Religious schools run $7,600/year on the low end.

Cincinnati

$11,800

avg tuition/year

$550 below national avg

Lower cost

San Francisco

$34,200

avg tuition/year

$21,850 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Cincinnati	San Francisco	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,800/yr	$34,200/yr	-$22,400
Religious Schools	$7,600/yr	$16,000/yr	-$8,400
Independent/Prep	$22,000/yr	$52,000/yr	-$30,000
Elementary (K-5)	$9,600/yr	$28,000/yr	-$18,400
Middle School (6-8)	$11,800/yr	$34,200/yr	-$22,400
High School (9-12)	$14,600/yr	$42,000/yr	-$27,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Cincinnati

$153,400

San Francisco

$444,600

Choosing Cincinnati saves $291,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $582,400.

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

San Francisco

San Francisco University High School

Independent · 9–12 · $56,830/yr

The Urban School of San Francisco

Independent · 9–12 · $56,200/yr

Katherine Delmar Burke School

Independent · K–8 · $48,900/yr

St. Ignatius College Preparatory

Catholic · 9–12 · $24,600/yr

Full Cincinnati breakdown → Full San Francisco breakdown →

Ohio private school costs California private school costs

Related Comparisons

Los Angeles vs San Francisco → San Francisco vs San Jose → Columbus vs Cincinnati → San Francisco vs Houston →

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.