Is private school cheaper in Cincinnati or Thornton?

Cincinnati has lower average private school tuition at $11,800/year vs $13,100/year in Thornton. That's $1,300/year less, or $16,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Cincinnati is $1,300/year less than Thornton. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $16,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,600/year in Cincinnati, $8,500/year in Thornton.

How do Cincinnati and Thornton 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). Thornton averages $13,100/year ($750 above average).

Private School Cost: Cincinnati vs Thornton

Cincinnati averages $1,300/year less for private school (11% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $16,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Cincinnati is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,800/year vs $13,100/year in Thornton. Religious schools run $7,600/year on the low end.

Cincinnati

$11,800

avg tuition/year

$550 below national avg

Lower cost

Thornton

$13,100

avg tuition/year

$750 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Cincinnati	Thornton	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,800/yr	$13,100/yr	-$1,300
Religious Schools	$7,600/yr	$8,500/yr	-$900
Independent/Prep	$22,000/yr	$25,700/yr	-$3,700
Elementary (K-5)	$9,600/yr	$11,100/yr	-$1,500
Middle School (6-8)	$11,800/yr	$13,100/yr	-$1,300
High School (9-12)	$14,600/yr	$15,700/yr	-$1,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Cincinnati

$153,400

Thornton

$170,300

Choosing Cincinnati saves $16,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $33,800.

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

Thornton

Thornton Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

St. Pius X Catholic School (Thornton)

Catholic · K–8 · $8,400-$10,200/yr

Full Cincinnati breakdown → Full Thornton breakdown →

Ohio private school costs Colorado 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.