Is private school cheaper in Columbus or Milwaukee?

Milwaukee has lower average private school tuition at $11,200/year vs $12,500/year in Columbus. That's $1,300/year less, or $16,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Milwaukee is $1,300/year less than Columbus. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $16,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,000/year in Columbus, $7,400/year in Milwaukee.

How do Columbus and Milwaukee 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). Milwaukee averages $11,200/year ($1,150 below average).

Private School Cost: Columbus vs Milwaukee

Milwaukee averages $1,300/year less for private school (12% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $16,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Milwaukee is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,200/year vs $12,500/year in Columbus. Religious schools run $7,400/year on the low end.

Columbus

$12,500

avg tuition/year

$150 above national avg

Milwaukee

$11,200

avg tuition/year

$1,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Columbus	Milwaukee	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$12,500/yr	$11,200/yr	+$1,300
Religious Schools	$8,000/yr	$7,400/yr	+$600
Independent/Prep	$23,500/yr	$21,000/yr	+$2,500
Elementary (K-5)	$10,200/yr	$9,200/yr	+$1,000
Middle School (6-8)	$12,500/yr	$11,200/yr	+$1,300
High School (9-12)	$15,500/yr	$13,800/yr	+$1,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Columbus

$162,500

Milwaukee

$145,600

Choosing Milwaukee saves $16,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $33,800.

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

Milwaukee

University School of Milwaukee

Independent · PK–12 · $22,800-$25,200/yr

Milwaukee University School

Independent · PK–12 · $21,400/yr

Marquette University High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Divine Savior Holy Angels High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,200/yr

Full Columbus breakdown → Full Milwaukee breakdown →

Ohio private school costs Wisconsin private school costs

Related Comparisons

Chicago vs Columbus → Chicago vs Milwaukee → 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.