Is private school cheaper in Columbus or Salem?

Salem has lower average private school tuition at $12,400/year vs $12,500/year in Columbus. That's $100/year less, or $1,300 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Salem is $100/year less than Columbus. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $1,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,000/year in Columbus, $8,400/year in Salem.

How do Columbus and Salem 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). Salem averages $12,400/year ($50 above average).

Private School Cost: Columbus vs Salem

Salem averages $100/year less for private school (1% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $1,300 per child.

Bottom Line

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

Columbus

$12,500

avg tuition/year

$150 above national avg

Salem

$12,400

avg tuition/year

$50 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Columbus	Salem	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$12,500/yr	$12,400/yr	+$100
Religious Schools	$8,000/yr	$8,400/yr	-$400
Independent/Prep	$23,500/yr	$25,000/yr	-$1,500
Elementary (K-5)	$10,200/yr	$10,500/yr	-$300
Middle School (6-8)	$12,500/yr	$12,400/yr	+$100
High School (9-12)	$15,500/yr	$14,900/yr	+$600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Columbus

$162,500

Salem

$161,200

Choosing Salem saves $1,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $2,600.

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

Salem

Salem Academy (OR)

Christian · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Blanchet Catholic School (Salem)

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

Full Columbus breakdown → Full Salem breakdown →

Ohio private school costs Oregon 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.