Is private school cheaper in Columbus or Fresno?

Fresno has lower average private school tuition at $10,500/year vs $12,500/year in Columbus. That's $2,000/year less, or $26,000 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Fresno is $2,000/year less than Columbus. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $26,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,000/year in Columbus, $7,000/year in Fresno.

How do Columbus and Fresno 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). Fresno averages $10,500/year ($1,850 below average).

Private School Cost: Columbus vs Fresno

Fresno averages $2,000/year less for private school (19% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $26,000 per child.

Bottom Line

Fresno is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,500/year vs $12,500/year in Columbus. Religious schools run $7,000/year on the low end.

Columbus

$12,500

avg tuition/year

$150 above national avg

Fresno

$10,500

avg tuition/year

$1,850 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Columbus	Fresno	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$12,500/yr	$10,500/yr	+$2,000
Religious Schools	$8,000/yr	$7,000/yr	+$1,000
Independent/Prep	$23,500/yr	$19,500/yr	+$4,000
Elementary (K-5)	$10,200/yr	$8,600/yr	+$1,600
Middle School (6-8)	$12,500/yr	$10,500/yr	+$2,000
High School (9-12)	$15,500/yr	$12,900/yr	+$2,600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Columbus

$162,500

Fresno

$136,500

Choosing Fresno saves $26,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $52,000.

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

Fresno

Clovis Christian Schools

Christian · K–12 · $9,200-$10,800/yr

Central High School (Fresno) (Catholic)

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,800/yr

Bullard Talent School

Magnet (Free) · K–8

Fresno Christian Schools

Christian · K–12 · $9,800-$11,400/yr

Full Columbus breakdown → Full Fresno breakdown →

Ohio private school costs California 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.