Is private school cheaper in Columbus or Paterson?

Columbus has lower average private school tuition at $12,500/year vs $18,100/year in Paterson. That's $5,600/year less, or $72,800 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Columbus is $5,600/year less than Paterson. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $72,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,000/year in Columbus, $11,700/year in Paterson.

How do Columbus and Paterson 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). Paterson averages $18,100/year ($5,750 above average).

Private School Cost: Columbus vs Paterson

Columbus averages $5,600/year less for private school (45% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $72,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Columbus is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $12,500/year vs $18,100/year in Paterson. Religious schools run $8,000/year on the low end.

Columbus

$12,500

avg tuition/year

$150 above national avg

Lower cost

Paterson

$18,100

avg tuition/year

$5,750 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Columbus	Paterson	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$12,500/yr	$18,100/yr	-$5,600
Religious Schools	$8,000/yr	$11,700/yr	-$3,700
Independent/Prep	$23,500/yr	$38,700/yr	-$15,200
Elementary (K-5)	$10,200/yr	$15,400/yr	-$5,200
Middle School (6-8)	$12,500/yr	$18,100/yr	-$5,600
High School (9-12)	$15,500/yr	$21,700/yr	-$6,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Columbus

$162,500

Paterson

$235,300

Choosing Columbus saves $72,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $145,600.

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

Paterson

Paramus Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $15,800/yr

St. Philip the Apostle School

Catholic · K–8 · $10,200-$12,400/yr

Full Columbus breakdown → Full Paterson breakdown →

Ohio private school costs New Jersey 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.