Is private school cheaper in Columbus or New York City?

Columbus has lower average private school tuition at $12,500/year vs $38,500/year in New York City. That's $26,000/year less, or $338,000 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Columbus over New York City?

Average tuition in Columbus is $26,000/year less than New York City. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $338,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,000/year in Columbus, $17,500/year in New York City.

How do Columbus and New York City 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). New York City averages $38,500/year ($26,150 above average).

Private School Cost: Columbus vs New York City

Columbus averages $26,000/year less for private school (208% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $338,000 per child.

Bottom Line

Columbus is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $12,500/year vs $38,500/year in New York City. Religious schools run $8,000/year on the low end.

Columbus

$12,500

avg tuition/year

$150 above national avg

Lower cost

New York City

$38,500

avg tuition/year

$26,150 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Columbus	New York City	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$12,500/yr	$38,500/yr	-$26,000
Religious Schools	$8,000/yr	$17,500/yr	-$9,500
Independent/Prep	$23,500/yr	$58,000/yr	-$34,500
Elementary (K-5)	$10,200/yr	$32,000/yr	-$21,800
Middle School (6-8)	$12,500/yr	$38,500/yr	-$26,000
High School (9-12)	$15,500/yr	$48,000/yr	-$32,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Columbus

$162,500

New York City

$500,500

Choosing Columbus saves $338,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $676,000.

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

New York City

Dalton School

Independent · K–12 · $60,310/yr

Trinity School NYC

Independent · K–12 · $59,900/yr

Horace Mann School

Independent · K–12 · $59,200/yr

Regis High School

Catholic (tuition-free) · 9–12

Full Columbus breakdown → Full New York City breakdown →

Ohio private school costs New York private school costs

Related Comparisons

New York vs Boston → New York vs Philadelphia → New York vs Chicago → Chicago 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.