Private School Cost: Columbus vs Fayetteville
Fayetteville averages $3,500/year less for private school (39% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $45,500 per child.
Bottom Line
Fayetteville is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,000/year vs $12,500/year in Columbus. Religious schools run $6,300/year on the low end.
Columbus
OH
$12,500
avg tuition/year
Fayetteville
NC
$9,000
avg tuition/year
Tuition by School Type & Grade
| Category | Columbus | Fayetteville | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Schools (Average) | $12,500/yr | $9,000/yr | +$3,500 |
| Religious Schools | $8,000/yr | $6,300/yr | +$1,700 |
| Independent/Prep | $23,500/yr | $18,900/yr | +$4,600 |
| Elementary (K-5) | $10,200/yr | $7,700/yr | +$2,500 |
| Middle School (6-8) | $12,500/yr | $9,000/yr | +$3,500 |
| High School (9-12) | $15,500/yr | $10,800/yr | +$4,700 |
K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)
Columbus
$162,500
Fayetteville
$117,000
Choosing Fayetteville saves $45,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $91,000.
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
Fayetteville
Cape Fear Academy (Wilmington)
Independent · PK–12 · $16,400/yr
Fayetteville Christian School
Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr
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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.