Is private school cheaper in Columbus or Richmond?

Columbus has lower average private school tuition at $12,500/year vs $14,500/year in Richmond. That's $2,000/year less, or $26,000 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Columbus is $2,000/year less than Richmond. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $26,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,000/year in Columbus, $9,200/year in Richmond.

How do Columbus and Richmond 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). Richmond averages $14,500/year ($2,150 above average).

Private School Cost: Columbus vs Richmond

Columbus averages $2,000/year less for private school (16% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $26,000 per child.

Bottom Line

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

Columbus

$12,500

avg tuition/year

$150 above national avg

Lower cost

Richmond

$14,500

avg tuition/year

$2,150 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Columbus	Richmond	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$12,500/yr	$14,500/yr	-$2,000
Religious Schools	$8,000/yr	$9,200/yr	-$1,200
Independent/Prep	$23,500/yr	$27,000/yr	-$3,500
Elementary (K-5)	$10,200/yr	$11,800/yr	-$1,600
Middle School (6-8)	$12,500/yr	$14,500/yr	-$2,000
High School (9-12)	$15,500/yr	$18,000/yr	-$2,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Columbus

$162,500

Richmond

$188,500

Choosing Columbus saves $26,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $52,000.

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

Richmond

St. Catherine's School (Richmond)

Independent · PK–12 · $28,800-$31,400/yr

St. Christopher's School

Independent · K–12 · $29,200-$31,800/yr

Collegiate School (Richmond)

Independent · PK–12 · $30,400-$32,800/yr

Benedictine College Preparatory

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,200/yr

Full Columbus breakdown → Full Richmond breakdown →

Ohio private school costs Virginia 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.