Is private school cheaper in Columbus or San Francisco?

Columbus has lower average private school tuition at $12,500/year vs $34,200/year in San Francisco. That's $21,700/year less, or $282,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Columbus is $21,700/year less than San Francisco. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $282,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,000/year in Columbus, $16,000/year in San Francisco.

How do Columbus and San Francisco 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). San Francisco averages $34,200/year ($21,850 above average).

Private School Cost: Columbus vs San Francisco

Columbus averages $21,700/year less for private school (174% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $282,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Columbus is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $12,500/year vs $34,200/year in San Francisco. Religious schools run $8,000/year on the low end.

Columbus

$12,500

avg tuition/year

$150 above national avg

Lower cost

San Francisco

$34,200

avg tuition/year

$21,850 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Columbus	San Francisco	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$12,500/yr	$34,200/yr	-$21,700
Religious Schools	$8,000/yr	$16,000/yr	-$8,000
Independent/Prep	$23,500/yr	$52,000/yr	-$28,500
Elementary (K-5)	$10,200/yr	$28,000/yr	-$17,800
Middle School (6-8)	$12,500/yr	$34,200/yr	-$21,700
High School (9-12)	$15,500/yr	$42,000/yr	-$26,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Columbus

$162,500

San Francisco

$444,600

Choosing Columbus saves $282,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $564,200.

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

San Francisco

San Francisco University High School

Independent · 9–12 · $56,830/yr

The Urban School of San Francisco

Independent · 9–12 · $56,200/yr

Katherine Delmar Burke School

Independent · K–8 · $48,900/yr

St. Ignatius College Preparatory

Catholic · 9–12 · $24,600/yr

Full Columbus breakdown → Full San Francisco breakdown →

Ohio private school costs California private school costs

Related Comparisons

Los Angeles vs San Francisco → San Francisco vs San Jose → Chicago vs Columbus → Columbus vs Cincinnati →

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.