Is private school cheaper in Cleveland or New York City?

Cleveland has lower average private school tuition at $11,200/year vs $38,500/year in New York City. That's $27,300/year less, or $354,900 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Cleveland over New York City?

Average tuition in Cleveland is $27,300/year less than New York City. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $354,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,400/year in Cleveland, $17,500/year in New York City.

How do Cleveland and New York City 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). New York City averages $38,500/year ($26,150 above average).

Private School Cost: Cleveland vs New York City

Cleveland averages $27,300/year less for private school (244% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $354,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Cleveland is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,200/year vs $38,500/year in New York City. Religious schools run $7,400/year on the low end.

Cleveland

$11,200

avg tuition/year

$1,150 below national avg

Lower cost

New York City

$38,500

avg tuition/year

$26,150 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Cleveland	New York City	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,200/yr	$38,500/yr	-$27,300
Religious Schools	$7,400/yr	$17,500/yr	-$10,100
Independent/Prep	$21,000/yr	$58,000/yr	-$37,000
Elementary (K-5)	$9,200/yr	$32,000/yr	-$22,800
Middle School (6-8)	$11,200/yr	$38,500/yr	-$27,300
High School (9-12)	$13,800/yr	$48,000/yr	-$34,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Cleveland

$145,600

New York City

$500,500

Choosing Cleveland saves $354,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $709,800.

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

New York City

Dalton School

Independent · K–12 · $60,310/yr

Trinity School NYC

Independent · K–12 · $59,900/yr

Horace Mann School

Independent · K–12 · $59,200/yr

Regis High School

Catholic (tuition-free) · 9–12

Full Cleveland breakdown → Full New York City breakdown →

Ohio private school costs New York private school costs

Related Comparisons

New York vs Boston → New York vs Philadelphia → New York vs Chicago → 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.