Is private school cheaper in Columbus or Hartford?

Columbus has lower average private school tuition at $12,500/year vs $28,000/year in Hartford. That's $15,500/year less, or $201,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Columbus is $15,500/year less than Hartford. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $201,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,000/year in Columbus, $15,800/year in Hartford.

How do Columbus and Hartford 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). Hartford averages $28,000/year ($15,650 above average).

Private School Cost: Columbus vs Hartford

Columbus averages $15,500/year less for private school (124% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $201,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Columbus is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $12,500/year vs $28,000/year in Hartford. Religious schools run $8,000/year on the low end.

Columbus

$12,500

avg tuition/year

$150 above national avg

Lower cost

Hartford

$28,000

avg tuition/year

$15,650 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Columbus	Hartford	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$12,500/yr	$28,000/yr	-$15,500
Religious Schools	$8,000/yr	$15,800/yr	-$7,800
Independent/Prep	$23,500/yr	$44,500/yr	-$21,000
Elementary (K-5)	$10,200/yr	$22,800/yr	-$12,600
Middle School (6-8)	$12,500/yr	$28,000/yr	-$15,500
High School (9-12)	$15,500/yr	$35,000/yr	-$19,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Columbus

$162,500

Hartford

$364,000

Choosing Columbus saves $201,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $403,000.

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

Hartford

Kingswood Oxford School

Independent · 6–12 · $44,800-$47,200/yr

Loomis Chaffee School

Independent (Day) · 9–12 · $48,200/yr

Watkinson School

Independent · 6–12 · $36,800/yr

Northwest Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,800/yr

Full Columbus breakdown → Full Hartford breakdown →

Ohio private school costs Connecticut 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.