Is private school cheaper in Columbus or Los Angeles?

Columbus has lower average private school tuition at $12,500/year vs $26,800/year in Los Angeles. That's $14,300/year less, or $185,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Columbus is $14,300/year less than Los Angeles. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $185,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,000/year in Columbus, $13,500/year in Los Angeles.

How do Columbus and Los Angeles 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). Los Angeles averages $26,800/year ($14,450 above average).

Private School Cost: Columbus vs Los Angeles

Columbus averages $14,300/year less for private school (114% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $185,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Columbus is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $12,500/year vs $26,800/year in Los Angeles. Religious schools run $8,000/year on the low end.

Columbus

$12,500

avg tuition/year

$150 above national avg

Lower cost

Los Angeles

$26,800

avg tuition/year

$14,450 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Columbus	Los Angeles	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$12,500/yr	$26,800/yr	-$14,300
Religious Schools	$8,000/yr	$13,500/yr	-$5,500
Independent/Prep	$23,500/yr	$42,000/yr	-$18,500
Elementary (K-5)	$10,200/yr	$22,000/yr	-$11,800
Middle School (6-8)	$12,500/yr	$26,800/yr	-$14,300
High School (9-12)	$15,500/yr	$32,000/yr	-$16,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Columbus

$162,500

Los Angeles

$348,400

Choosing Columbus saves $185,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $371,800.

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

Los Angeles

Harvard-Westlake School

Independent · 7–12 · $47,890/yr

Crossroads School for Arts & Sciences

Independent · K–12 · $44,370/yr

Marlborough School

Independent · 7–12 · $44,800/yr

St. Monica Catholic School

Catholic · K–8 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

Full Columbus breakdown → Full Los Angeles breakdown →

Ohio private school costs California private school costs

Related Comparisons

Los Angeles vs San Francisco → Los Angeles vs San Diego → Los Angeles vs San Jose → Irvine vs Los Angeles →

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.