Is private school cheaper in Columbus or Phoenix?

Columbus has lower average private school tuition at $12,500/year vs $13,400/year in Phoenix. That's $900/year less, or $11,700 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Columbus is $900/year less than Phoenix. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $11,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,000/year in Columbus, $8,600/year in Phoenix.

How do Columbus and Phoenix 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). Phoenix averages $13,400/year ($1,050 above average).

Private School Cost: Columbus vs Phoenix

Columbus averages $900/year less for private school (7% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $11,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Columbus is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $12,500/year vs $13,400/year in Phoenix. Religious schools run $8,000/year on the low end.

Columbus

$12,500

avg tuition/year

$150 above national avg

Lower cost

Phoenix

$13,400

avg tuition/year

$1,050 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Columbus	Phoenix	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$12,500/yr	$13,400/yr	-$900
Religious Schools	$8,000/yr	$8,600/yr	-$600
Independent/Prep	$23,500/yr	$24,500/yr	-$1,000
Elementary (K-5)	$10,200/yr	$11,000/yr	-$800
Middle School (6-8)	$12,500/yr	$13,400/yr	-$900
High School (9-12)	$15,500/yr	$16,500/yr	-$1,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Columbus

$162,500

Phoenix

$174,200

Choosing Columbus saves $11,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $23,400.

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

Phoenix

Brophy College Preparatory

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,800/yr

Xavier College Preparatory

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,400/yr

Scottsdale Preparatory Academy

Independent · 6–12 · $12,800-$14,200/yr

Notre Dame Preparatory High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,200/yr

Full Columbus breakdown → Full Phoenix breakdown →

Ohio private school costs Arizona private school costs

Related Comparisons

Chicago vs Columbus → Columbus vs Cincinnati → Denver vs Phoenix → San Francisco vs Phoenix →

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.