Is private school cheaper in Clearwater or Columbus?

Clearwater has lower average private school tuition at $10,200/year vs $12,500/year in Columbus. That's $2,300/year less, or $29,900 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Clearwater over Columbus?

Average tuition in Clearwater is $2,300/year less than Columbus. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $29,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,100/year in Clearwater, $8,000/year in Columbus.

How do Clearwater and Columbus private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Clearwater averages $10,200/year ($2,150 below average). Columbus averages $12,500/year ($150 above average).

Private School Cost: Clearwater vs Columbus

Clearwater averages $2,300/year less for private school (23% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $29,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Clearwater is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,200/year vs $12,500/year in Columbus. Religious schools run $7,100/year on the low end.

Clearwater

$10,200

avg tuition/year

$2,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Columbus

$12,500

avg tuition/year

$150 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Clearwater	Columbus	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$10,200/yr	$12,500/yr	-$2,300
Religious Schools	$7,100/yr	$8,000/yr	-$900
Independent/Prep	$21,100/yr	$23,500/yr	-$2,400
Elementary (K-5)	$8,700/yr	$10,200/yr	-$1,500
Middle School (6-8)	$10,200/yr	$12,500/yr	-$2,300
High School (9-12)	$12,200/yr	$15,500/yr	-$3,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Clearwater

$132,600

Columbus

$162,500

Choosing Clearwater saves $29,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $59,800.

Sample Schools

Clearwater

Calvary Christian Academy (Clearwater)

Christian · PK–12 · $10,400-$12,800/yr

Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy

Independent (Episcopal) · PK–12 · $14,200/yr

Columbus

Columbus School for Girls

Independent · PK–12 · $22,400-$24,800/yr

Columbus Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $24,200-$26,800/yr

DeSales High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,800/yr

Watterson Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,400/yr

Full Clearwater breakdown → Full Columbus breakdown →

Florida private school costs Ohio private school costs

Related Comparisons

Chicago vs Columbus → Columbus vs Cincinnati → Minneapolis vs Columbus →

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.