Is private school cheaper in Columbus or Cincinnati?

Cincinnati has lower average private school tuition at $11,800/year vs $12,500/year in Columbus. That's $700/year less, or $9,100 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Cincinnati over Columbus?

Average tuition in Cincinnati is $700/year less than Columbus. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $9,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,000/year in Columbus, $7,600/year in Cincinnati.

How do Columbus and Cincinnati private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Columbus averages $12,500/year ($150 above average). Cincinnati averages $11,800/year ($550 below average).

Private School Cost: Columbus vs Cincinnati

Cincinnati averages $700/year less for private school (6% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $9,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Cincinnati is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,800/year vs $12,500/year in Columbus. Religious schools run $7,600/year on the low end.

Columbus

$12,500

avg tuition/year

$150 above national avg

Cincinnati

$11,800

avg tuition/year

$550 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Columbus	Cincinnati	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$12,500/yr	$11,800/yr	+$700
Religious Schools	$8,000/yr	$7,600/yr	+$400
Independent/Prep	$23,500/yr	$22,000/yr	+$1,500
Elementary (K-5)	$10,200/yr	$9,600/yr	+$600
Middle School (6-8)	$12,500/yr	$11,800/yr	+$700
High School (9-12)	$15,500/yr	$14,600/yr	+$900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Columbus

$162,500

Cincinnati

$153,400

Choosing Cincinnati saves $9,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $18,200.

Sample Schools

Columbus

Columbus School for Girls

Independent · PK–12 · $22,400-$24,800/yr

Columbus Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $24,200-$26,800/yr

DeSales High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,800/yr

Watterson Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,400/yr

Cincinnati

Cincinnati Country Day School

Independent · PK–12 · $24,400-$26,800/yr

Seven Hills School

Independent · PK–12 · $22,800-$25,200/yr

Moeller High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,800/yr

Elder High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

Full Columbus breakdown → Full Cincinnati breakdown →

Ohio private school costs

Related Comparisons

Chicago vs Columbus → Minneapolis vs Columbus →

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.