Is private school cheaper in Columbus or Fort Wayne?

Fort Wayne has lower average private school tuition at $7,900/year vs $12,500/year in Columbus. That's $4,600/year less, or $59,800 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Fort Wayne is $4,600/year less than Columbus. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $59,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,000/year in Columbus, $5,800/year in Fort Wayne.

How do Columbus and Fort Wayne 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 Wayne averages $7,900/year ($4,450 below average).

Private School Cost: Columbus vs Fort Wayne

Fort Wayne averages $4,600/year less for private school (58% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $59,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Fort Wayne is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,900/year vs $12,500/year in Columbus. Religious schools run $5,800/year on the low end.

Columbus

$12,500

avg tuition/year

$150 above national avg

Fort Wayne

$7,900

avg tuition/year

$4,450 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Columbus	Fort Wayne	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$12,500/yr	$7,900/yr	+$4,600
Religious Schools	$8,000/yr	$5,800/yr	+$2,200
Independent/Prep	$23,500/yr	$16,500/yr	+$7,000
Elementary (K-5)	$10,200/yr	$6,700/yr	+$3,500
Middle School (6-8)	$12,500/yr	$7,900/yr	+$4,600
High School (9-12)	$15,500/yr	$9,500/yr	+$6,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Columbus

$162,500

Fort Wayne

$102,700

Choosing Fort Wayne saves $59,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $119,600.

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 Wayne

Bishop Luers High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $9,800/yr

Canterbury School (Fort Wayne)

Independent · PK–12 · $20,400/yr

Full Columbus breakdown → Full Fort Wayne breakdown →

Ohio private school costs Indiana 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.