Is private school cheaper in Cleveland or Indianapolis?

Cleveland has lower average private school tuition at $11,200/year vs $12,000/year in Indianapolis. That's $800/year less, or $10,400 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Cleveland is $800/year less than Indianapolis. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $10,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,400/year in Cleveland, $7,800/year in Indianapolis.

How do Cleveland and Indianapolis 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). Indianapolis averages $12,000/year ($350 below average).

Private School Cost: Cleveland vs Indianapolis

Cleveland averages $800/year less for private school (7% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $10,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Cleveland is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,200/year vs $12,000/year in Indianapolis. Religious schools run $7,400/year on the low end.

Cleveland

$11,200

avg tuition/year

$1,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Indianapolis

$12,000

avg tuition/year

$350 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Cleveland	Indianapolis	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,200/yr	$12,000/yr	-$800
Religious Schools	$7,400/yr	$7,800/yr	-$400
Independent/Prep	$21,000/yr	$22,500/yr	-$1,500
Elementary (K-5)	$9,200/yr	$9,800/yr	-$600
Middle School (6-8)	$11,200/yr	$12,000/yr	-$800
High School (9-12)	$13,800/yr	$14,800/yr	-$1,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Cleveland

$145,600

Indianapolis

$156,000

Choosing Cleveland saves $10,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $20,800.

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

Indianapolis

Park Tudor School

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

Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,800/yr

Bishop Chatard High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,200/yr

Cathedral High School (Indianapolis)

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Full Cleveland breakdown → Full Indianapolis breakdown →

Ohio private school costs Indiana private school costs

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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.