Is private school cheaper in Columbus or Irvine?

Columbus has lower average private school tuition at $12,500/year vs $20,400/year in Irvine. That's $7,900/year less, or $102,700 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Columbus is $7,900/year less than Irvine. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $102,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,000/year in Columbus, $13,300/year in Irvine.

How do Columbus and Irvine 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). Irvine averages $20,400/year ($8,050 above average).

Private School Cost: Columbus vs Irvine

Columbus averages $7,900/year less for private school (63% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $102,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Columbus is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $12,500/year vs $20,400/year in Irvine. Religious schools run $8,000/year on the low end.

Columbus

$12,500

avg tuition/year

$150 above national avg

Lower cost

Irvine

$20,400

avg tuition/year

$8,050 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Columbus	Irvine	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$12,500/yr	$20,400/yr	-$7,900
Religious Schools	$8,000/yr	$13,300/yr	-$5,300
Independent/Prep	$23,500/yr	$39,700/yr	-$16,200
Elementary (K-5)	$10,200/yr	$17,300/yr	-$7,100
Middle School (6-8)	$12,500/yr	$20,400/yr	-$7,900
High School (9-12)	$15,500/yr	$24,500/yr	-$9,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Columbus

$162,500

Irvine

$265,200

Choosing Columbus saves $102,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $205,400.

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

Irvine

Sage Hill School

Independent · 9–12 · $45,200/yr

Woodbridge Village Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $16,800/yr

Our Lady Queen of Angels School

Catholic · K–8 · $10,400-$12,200/yr

Full Columbus breakdown → Full Irvine breakdown →

Ohio private school costs California private school costs

Related Comparisons

Irvine vs Los Angeles → 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.