Is private school cheaper in Cleveland or Richmond?

Cleveland has lower average private school tuition at $11,200/year vs $14,500/year in Richmond. That's $3,300/year less, or $42,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Cleveland is $3,300/year less than Richmond. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $42,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,400/year in Cleveland, $9,200/year in Richmond.

How do Cleveland and Richmond 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). Richmond averages $14,500/year ($2,150 above average).

Private School Cost: Cleveland vs Richmond

Cleveland averages $3,300/year less for private school (29% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $42,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Cleveland is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,200/year vs $14,500/year in Richmond. Religious schools run $7,400/year on the low end.

Cleveland

$11,200

avg tuition/year

$1,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Richmond

$14,500

avg tuition/year

$2,150 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Cleveland	Richmond	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,200/yr	$14,500/yr	-$3,300
Religious Schools	$7,400/yr	$9,200/yr	-$1,800
Independent/Prep	$21,000/yr	$27,000/yr	-$6,000
Elementary (K-5)	$9,200/yr	$11,800/yr	-$2,600
Middle School (6-8)	$11,200/yr	$14,500/yr	-$3,300
High School (9-12)	$13,800/yr	$18,000/yr	-$4,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Cleveland

$145,600

Richmond

$188,500

Choosing Cleveland saves $42,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $85,800.

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

Richmond

St. Catherine's School (Richmond)

Independent · PK–12 · $28,800-$31,400/yr

St. Christopher's School

Independent · K–12 · $29,200-$31,800/yr

Collegiate School (Richmond)

Independent · PK–12 · $30,400-$32,800/yr

Benedictine College Preparatory

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,200/yr

Full Cleveland breakdown → Full Richmond breakdown →

Ohio private school costs Virginia 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.