PrivateSchoolCost

Private School Cost: Columbus vs Pueblo

Pueblo averages $1,500/year less for private school (14% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $19,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Pueblo is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,000/year vs $12,500/year in Columbus. Religious schools run $7,100/year on the low end.

Columbus

OH

$12,500

avg tuition/year

$150 above national avg

Pueblo

CO

$11,000

avg tuition/year

$1,350 below national avg
Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category Columbus Pueblo Difference
All Schools (Average) $12,500/yr $11,000/yr +$1,500
Religious Schools $8,000/yr $7,100/yr +$900
Independent/Prep $23,500/yr $21,600/yr +$1,900
Elementary (K-5) $10,200/yr $9,400/yr +$800
Middle School (6-8) $12,500/yr $11,000/yr +$1,500
High School (9-12) $15,500/yr $13,200/yr +$2,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Columbus

$162,500

Pueblo

$143,000

Choosing Pueblo saves $19,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $39,000.

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

Pueblo

Roncalli STEM Academy (Pueblo)

Catholic · K–12 · $8,800-$10,800/yr

Pueblo Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $7,800-$9,600/yr

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.