Is private school cheaper in Cleveland or Tulsa?

Tulsa has lower average private school tuition at $7,000/year vs $11,200/year in Cleveland. That's $4,200/year less, or $54,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Tulsa is $4,200/year less than Cleveland. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $54,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,400/year in Cleveland, $5,100/year in Tulsa.

How do Cleveland and Tulsa 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). Tulsa averages $7,000/year ($5,350 below average).

Private School Cost: Cleveland vs Tulsa

Tulsa averages $4,200/year less for private school (60% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $54,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Tulsa is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,000/year vs $11,200/year in Cleveland. Religious schools run $5,100/year on the low end.

Cleveland

$11,200

avg tuition/year

$1,150 below national avg

Tulsa

$7,000

avg tuition/year

$5,350 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Cleveland	Tulsa	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,200/yr	$7,000/yr	+$4,200
Religious Schools	$7,400/yr	$5,100/yr	+$2,300
Independent/Prep	$21,000/yr	$14,500/yr	+$6,500
Elementary (K-5)	$9,200/yr	$6,000/yr	+$3,200
Middle School (6-8)	$11,200/yr	$7,000/yr	+$4,200
High School (9-12)	$13,800/yr	$8,400/yr	+$5,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Cleveland

$145,600

Tulsa

$91,000

Choosing Tulsa saves $54,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $109,200.

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

Tulsa

Holland Hall (Tulsa)

Independent (Episcopal) · PK–12 · $21,400/yr

Bishop Kelley High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $10,800/yr

Full Cleveland breakdown → Full Tulsa breakdown →

Ohio private school costs Oklahoma 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.