Is private school cheaper in Columbus or Simi Valley?

Columbus has lower average private school tuition at $12,500/year vs $17,200/year in Simi Valley. That's $4,700/year less, or $61,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Columbus is $4,700/year less than Simi Valley. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $61,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,000/year in Columbus, $11,200/year in Simi Valley.

How do Columbus and Simi Valley 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). Simi Valley averages $17,200/year ($4,850 above average).

Private School Cost: Columbus vs Simi Valley

Columbus averages $4,700/year less for private school (38% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $61,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Columbus is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $12,500/year vs $17,200/year in Simi Valley. Religious schools run $8,000/year on the low end.

Columbus

$12,500

avg tuition/year

$150 above national avg

Lower cost

Simi Valley

$17,200

avg tuition/year

$4,850 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Columbus	Simi Valley	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$12,500/yr	$17,200/yr	-$4,700
Religious Schools	$8,000/yr	$11,200/yr	-$3,200
Independent/Prep	$23,500/yr	$33,600/yr	-$10,100
Elementary (K-5)	$10,200/yr	$14,600/yr	-$4,400
Middle School (6-8)	$12,500/yr	$17,200/yr	-$4,700
High School (9-12)	$15,500/yr	$20,600/yr	-$5,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Columbus

$162,500

Simi Valley

$223,600

Choosing Columbus saves $61,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $122,200.

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

Simi Valley

Notre Dame High School (Sherman Oaks)

Catholic · 9–12 · $21,400/yr

Simi Valley Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

Full Columbus breakdown → Full Simi Valley breakdown →

Ohio private school costs California 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.