Is private school cheaper in Cleveland or Salt Lake City?

Salt Lake City has lower average private school tuition at $9,400/year vs $11,200/year in Cleveland. That's $1,800/year less, or $23,400 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Salt Lake City over Cleveland?

Average tuition in Salt Lake City is $1,800/year less than Cleveland. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $23,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,400/year in Cleveland, $6,500/year in Salt Lake City.

How do Cleveland and Salt Lake 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). Salt Lake City averages $9,400/year ($2,950 below average).

Private School Cost: Cleveland vs Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City averages $1,800/year less for private school (19% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $23,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Salt Lake City is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,400/year vs $11,200/year in Cleveland. Religious schools run $6,500/year on the low end.

Cleveland

$11,200

avg tuition/year

$1,150 below national avg

Salt Lake City

$9,400

avg tuition/year

$2,950 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Cleveland	Salt Lake City	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,200/yr	$9,400/yr	+$1,800
Religious Schools	$7,400/yr	$6,500/yr	+$900
Independent/Prep	$21,000/yr	$18,700/yr	+$2,300
Elementary (K-5)	$9,200/yr	$8,000/yr	+$1,200
Middle School (6-8)	$11,200/yr	$9,400/yr	+$1,800
High School (9-12)	$13,800/yr	$11,300/yr	+$2,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Cleveland

$145,600

Salt Lake City

$122,200

Choosing Salt Lake City saves $23,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $46,800.

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

Salt Lake City

Judge Memorial Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

Utah Private Academy

Independent · K–12 · $9,800-$12,400/yr

Full Cleveland breakdown → Full Salt Lake City breakdown →

Ohio private school costs Utah 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.