Is private school cheaper in Cleveland or Washington DC?

Cleveland has lower average private school tuition at $11,200/year vs $28,400/year in Washington DC. That's $17,200/year less, or $223,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Cleveland is $17,200/year less than Washington DC. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $223,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,400/year in Cleveland, $15,200/year in Washington DC.

How do Cleveland and Washington DC 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). Washington DC averages $28,400/year ($16,050 above average).

Private School Cost: Cleveland vs Washington DC

Cleveland averages $17,200/year less for private school (154% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $223,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Cleveland is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,200/year vs $28,400/year in Washington DC. Religious schools run $7,400/year on the low end.

Cleveland

$11,200

avg tuition/year

$1,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Washington DC

$28,400

avg tuition/year

$16,050 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Cleveland	Washington DC	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,200/yr	$28,400/yr	-$17,200
Religious Schools	$7,400/yr	$15,200/yr	-$7,800
Independent/Prep	$21,000/yr	$46,000/yr	-$25,000
Elementary (K-5)	$9,200/yr	$23,000/yr	-$13,800
Middle School (6-8)	$11,200/yr	$28,400/yr	-$17,200
High School (9-12)	$13,800/yr	$35,500/yr	-$21,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Cleveland

$145,600

Washington DC

$369,200

Choosing Cleveland saves $223,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $447,200.

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

Washington DC

Sidwell Friends School

Independent (Quaker) · PK–12 · $52,900/yr

Georgetown Day School

Independent · PK–12 · $51,400/yr

National Cathedral School

Independent · 4–12 · $50,200/yr

Gonzaga College High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $25,400/yr

Full Cleveland breakdown → Full Washington DC breakdown →

Ohio private school costs District of Columbia private school costs

Related Comparisons

Washington DC vs Atlanta →

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.