Is private school cheaper in Columbus or Honolulu?

Columbus has lower average private school tuition at $12,500/year vs $20,200/year in Honolulu. That's $7,700/year less, or $100,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Columbus is $7,700/year less than Honolulu. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $100,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,000/year in Columbus, $12,900/year in Honolulu.

How do Columbus and Honolulu 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). Honolulu averages $20,200/year ($7,850 above average).

Private School Cost: Columbus vs Honolulu

Columbus averages $7,700/year less for private school (62% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $100,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Columbus is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $12,500/year vs $20,200/year in Honolulu. Religious schools run $8,000/year on the low end.

Columbus

$12,500

avg tuition/year

$150 above national avg

Lower cost

Honolulu

$20,200

avg tuition/year

$7,850 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Columbus	Honolulu	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$12,500/yr	$20,200/yr	-$7,700
Religious Schools	$8,000/yr	$12,900/yr	-$4,900
Independent/Prep	$23,500/yr	$37,600/yr	-$14,100
Elementary (K-5)	$10,200/yr	$17,200/yr	-$7,000
Middle School (6-8)	$12,500/yr	$20,200/yr	-$7,700
High School (9-12)	$15,500/yr	$24,200/yr	-$8,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Columbus

$162,500

Honolulu

$262,600

Choosing Columbus saves $100,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $200,200.

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

Honolulu

Punahou School

Independent · K–12 · $27,400/yr

Iolani School

Independent (Episcopal) · K–12 · $24,800/yr

Saint Louis School (Honolulu)

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,800/yr

Full Columbus breakdown → Full Honolulu breakdown →

Ohio private school costs Hawaii 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.