Is private school cheaper in Cleveland or Hartford?

Cleveland has lower average private school tuition at $11,200/year vs $28,000/year in Hartford. That's $16,800/year less, or $218,400 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Cleveland is $16,800/year less than Hartford. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $218,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,400/year in Cleveland, $15,800/year in Hartford.

How do Cleveland and Hartford 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). Hartford averages $28,000/year ($15,650 above average).

Private School Cost: Cleveland vs Hartford

Cleveland averages $16,800/year less for private school (150% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $218,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Cleveland is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,200/year vs $28,000/year in Hartford. Religious schools run $7,400/year on the low end.

Cleveland

$11,200

avg tuition/year

$1,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Hartford

$28,000

avg tuition/year

$15,650 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Cleveland	Hartford	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,200/yr	$28,000/yr	-$16,800
Religious Schools	$7,400/yr	$15,800/yr	-$8,400
Independent/Prep	$21,000/yr	$44,500/yr	-$23,500
Elementary (K-5)	$9,200/yr	$22,800/yr	-$13,600
Middle School (6-8)	$11,200/yr	$28,000/yr	-$16,800
High School (9-12)	$13,800/yr	$35,000/yr	-$21,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Cleveland

$145,600

Hartford

$364,000

Choosing Cleveland saves $218,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $436,800.

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

Hartford

Kingswood Oxford School

Independent · 6–12 · $44,800-$47,200/yr

Loomis Chaffee School

Independent (Day) · 9–12 · $48,200/yr

Watkinson School

Independent · 6–12 · $36,800/yr

Northwest Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,800/yr

Full Cleveland breakdown → Full Hartford breakdown →

Ohio private school costs Connecticut 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.