Is private school cheaper in Cleveland or Columbia?

Columbia has lower average private school tuition at $8,200/year vs $11,200/year in Cleveland. That's $3,000/year less, or $39,000 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Columbia over Cleveland?

Average tuition in Columbia is $3,000/year less than Cleveland. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $39,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,400/year in Cleveland, $6,000/year in Columbia.

How do Cleveland and Columbia private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Cleveland averages $11,200/year ($1,150 below average). Columbia averages $8,200/year ($4,150 below average).

Private School Cost: Cleveland vs Columbia

Columbia averages $3,000/year less for private school (37% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $39,000 per child.

Bottom Line

Columbia is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,200/year vs $11,200/year in Cleveland. Religious schools run $6,000/year on the low end.

Cleveland

$11,200

avg tuition/year

$1,150 below national avg

Columbia

$8,200

avg tuition/year

$4,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Cleveland	Columbia	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,200/yr	$8,200/yr	+$3,000
Religious Schools	$7,400/yr	$6,000/yr	+$1,400
Independent/Prep	$21,000/yr	$17,000/yr	+$4,000
Elementary (K-5)	$9,200/yr	$7,000/yr	+$2,200
Middle School (6-8)	$11,200/yr	$8,200/yr	+$3,000
High School (9-12)	$13,800/yr	$9,800/yr	+$4,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Cleveland

$145,600

Columbia

$106,600

Choosing Columbia saves $39,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $78,000.

Sample Schools

Cleveland

University School (Cleveland)

Independent · JK–12 · $26,400-$28,800/yr

Laurel School (Cleveland)

Independent · PK–12 · $24,800-$27,200/yr

St. Ignatius High School (Cleveland)

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,800/yr

St. Edward High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,200/yr

Columbia

Hammond School (Columbia SC)

Independent · PK–12 · $16,400/yr

Cardinal Newman School (Columbia SC)

Catholic · PK–12 · $11,200/yr

Full Cleveland breakdown → Full Columbia breakdown →

Ohio private school costs South Carolina private school costs

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.