Is private school cheaper in Columbus or Little Rock?

Little Rock has lower average private school tuition at $6,600/year vs $12,500/year in Columbus. That's $5,900/year less, or $76,700 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Little Rock is $5,900/year less than Columbus. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $76,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,000/year in Columbus, $5,000/year in Little Rock.

How do Columbus and Little Rock 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). Little Rock averages $6,600/year ($5,750 below average).

Private School Cost: Columbus vs Little Rock

Little Rock averages $5,900/year less for private school (89% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $76,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Little Rock is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,600/year vs $12,500/year in Columbus. Religious schools run $5,000/year on the low end.

Columbus

$12,500

avg tuition/year

$150 above national avg

Little Rock

$6,600

avg tuition/year

$5,750 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Columbus	Little Rock	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$12,500/yr	$6,600/yr	+$5,900
Religious Schools	$8,000/yr	$5,000/yr	+$3,000
Independent/Prep	$23,500/yr	$13,100/yr	+$10,400
Elementary (K-5)	$10,200/yr	$5,600/yr	+$4,600
Middle School (6-8)	$12,500/yr	$6,600/yr	+$5,900
High School (9-12)	$15,500/yr	$7,900/yr	+$7,600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Columbus

$162,500

Little Rock

$85,800

Choosing Little Rock saves $76,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $153,400.

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

Little Rock

Pulaski Academy (Little Rock)

Independent · PK–12 · $11,800/yr

Mount St. Mary Academy

Catholic · 9–12 · $11,200/yr

Full Columbus breakdown → Full Little Rock breakdown →

Ohio private school costs Arkansas 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.