Is private school cheaper in Cincinnati or Springfield?

Springfield has lower average private school tuition at $7,700/year vs $11,800/year in Cincinnati. That's $4,100/year less, or $53,300 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Springfield is $4,100/year less than Cincinnati. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $53,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,600/year in Cincinnati, $5,500/year in Springfield.

How do Cincinnati and Springfield 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). Springfield averages $7,700/year ($4,650 below average).

Private School Cost: Cincinnati vs Springfield

Springfield averages $4,100/year less for private school (53% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $53,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Springfield is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,700/year vs $11,800/year in Cincinnati. Religious schools run $5,500/year on the low end.

Cincinnati

$11,800

avg tuition/year

$550 below national avg

Springfield

$7,700

avg tuition/year

$4,650 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Cincinnati	Springfield	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,800/yr	$7,700/yr	+$4,100
Religious Schools	$7,600/yr	$5,500/yr	+$2,100
Independent/Prep	$22,000/yr	$18,000/yr	+$4,000
Elementary (K-5)	$9,600/yr	$6,500/yr	+$3,100
Middle School (6-8)	$11,800/yr	$7,700/yr	+$4,100
High School (9-12)	$14,600/yr	$9,200/yr	+$5,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Cincinnati

$153,400

Springfield

$100,100

Choosing Springfield saves $53,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $106,600.

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

Springfield

Greenwood Laboratory School (Springfield MO)

Independent · PK–12 · $8,800-$11,200/yr

St. Agnes Cathedral School

Catholic · K–8 · $7,800-$9,600/yr

Full Cincinnati breakdown → Full Springfield breakdown →

Ohio private school costs Missouri private school costs

Related Comparisons

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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.