Is private school cheaper in Columbus or Fort Lauderdale?

Fort Lauderdale has lower average private school tuition at $11,700/year vs $12,500/year in Columbus. That's $800/year less, or $10,400 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Fort Lauderdale is $800/year less than Columbus. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $10,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,000/year in Columbus, $8,100/year in Fort Lauderdale.

How do Columbus and Fort Lauderdale 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). Fort Lauderdale averages $11,700/year ($650 below average).

Private School Cost: Columbus vs Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale averages $800/year less for private school (7% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $10,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Fort Lauderdale is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,700/year vs $12,500/year in Columbus. Religious schools run $8,000/year on the low end.

Columbus

$12,500

avg tuition/year

$150 above national avg

Fort Lauderdale

$11,700

avg tuition/year

$650 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Columbus	Fort Lauderdale	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$12,500/yr	$11,700/yr	+$800
Religious Schools	$8,000/yr	$8,100/yr	-$100
Independent/Prep	$23,500/yr	$24,100/yr	-$600
Elementary (K-5)	$10,200/yr	$9,900/yr	+$300
Middle School (6-8)	$12,500/yr	$11,700/yr	+$800
High School (9-12)	$15,500/yr	$14,000/yr	+$1,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Columbus

$162,500

Fort Lauderdale

$152,100

Choosing Fort Lauderdale saves $10,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $20,800.

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

Fort Lauderdale

Pine Crest School

Independent · PK–12 · $34,800/yr

Cardinal Gibbons High School (Ft. Laud.)

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Westminster Academy

Christian · PK–12 · $18,400/yr

Full Columbus breakdown → Full Fort Lauderdale breakdown →

Ohio private school costs Florida private school costs

Related Comparisons

Chicago vs Columbus → Columbus vs Cincinnati → 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.