Is private school cheaper in Cleveland or Houston?

Cleveland has lower average private school tuition at $11,200/year vs $15,800/year in Houston. That's $4,600/year less, or $59,800 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Cleveland is $4,600/year less than Houston. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $59,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,400/year in Cleveland, $9,200/year in Houston.

How do Cleveland and Houston 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). Houston averages $15,800/year ($3,450 above average).

Private School Cost: Cleveland vs Houston

Cleveland averages $4,600/year less for private school (41% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $59,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Cleveland is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,200/year vs $15,800/year in Houston. Religious schools run $7,400/year on the low end.

Cleveland

$11,200

avg tuition/year

$1,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Houston

$15,800

avg tuition/year

$3,450 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Cleveland	Houston	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,200/yr	$15,800/yr	-$4,600
Religious Schools	$7,400/yr	$9,200/yr	-$1,800
Independent/Prep	$21,000/yr	$28,000/yr	-$7,000
Elementary (K-5)	$9,200/yr	$13,000/yr	-$3,800
Middle School (6-8)	$11,200/yr	$15,800/yr	-$4,600
High School (9-12)	$13,800/yr	$19,500/yr	-$5,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Cleveland

$145,600

Houston

$205,400

Choosing Cleveland saves $59,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $119,600.

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

Houston

St. John's School (Houston)

Independent · K–12 · $33,900-$36,200/yr

Kinkaid School

Independent · PK–12 · $34,500-$37,000/yr

Strake Jesuit College Preparatory

Catholic · 9–12 · $20,400/yr

Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart

Catholic · K–12 · $20,100/yr

Full Cleveland breakdown → Full Houston breakdown →

Ohio private school costs Texas private school costs

Related Comparisons

Houston vs Dallas → Houston vs Austin → San Francisco vs Houston → New York vs Houston →

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.