Is private school cheaper in Columbus or Nashville?

Columbus has lower average private school tuition at $12,500/year vs $14,200/year in Nashville. That's $1,700/year less, or $22,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Columbus is $1,700/year less than Nashville. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $22,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,000/year in Columbus, $8,800/year in Nashville.

How do Columbus and Nashville 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). Nashville averages $14,200/year ($1,850 above average).

Private School Cost: Columbus vs Nashville

Columbus averages $1,700/year less for private school (14% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $22,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Columbus is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $12,500/year vs $14,200/year in Nashville. Religious schools run $8,000/year on the low end.

Columbus

$12,500

avg tuition/year

$150 above national avg

Lower cost

Nashville

$14,200

avg tuition/year

$1,850 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Columbus	Nashville	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$12,500/yr	$14,200/yr	-$1,700
Religious Schools	$8,000/yr	$8,800/yr	-$800
Independent/Prep	$23,500/yr	$26,500/yr	-$3,000
Elementary (K-5)	$10,200/yr	$11,600/yr	-$1,400
Middle School (6-8)	$12,500/yr	$14,200/yr	-$1,700
High School (9-12)	$15,500/yr	$17,500/yr	-$2,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Columbus

$162,500

Nashville

$184,600

Choosing Columbus saves $22,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $44,200.

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

Nashville

Montgomery Bell Academy

Independent · 7–12 · $29,400/yr

Harpeth Hall School

Independent · 5–12 · $28,800/yr

University School of Nashville

Independent · K–12 · $26,200/yr

Father Ryan High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,800/yr

Full Columbus breakdown → Full Nashville breakdown →

Ohio private school costs Tennessee private school costs

Related Comparisons

Chicago vs Columbus → Columbus vs Cincinnati → Nashville vs Atlanta → 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.