Is private school cheaper in Columbus or Tacoma?

Columbus has lower average private school tuition at $12,500/year vs $13,700/year in Tacoma. That's $1,200/year less, or $15,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Columbus is $1,200/year less than Tacoma. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $15,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,000/year in Columbus, $9,400/year in Tacoma.

How do Columbus and Tacoma 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). Tacoma averages $13,700/year ($1,350 above average).

Private School Cost: Columbus vs Tacoma

Columbus averages $1,200/year less for private school (10% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $15,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Columbus is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $12,500/year vs $13,700/year in Tacoma. Religious schools run $8,000/year on the low end.

Columbus

$12,500

avg tuition/year

$150 above national avg

Lower cost

Tacoma

$13,700

avg tuition/year

$1,350 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Columbus	Tacoma	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$12,500/yr	$13,700/yr	-$1,200
Religious Schools	$8,000/yr	$9,400/yr	-$1,400
Independent/Prep	$23,500/yr	$29,400/yr	-$5,900
Elementary (K-5)	$10,200/yr	$11,600/yr	-$1,400
Middle School (6-8)	$12,500/yr	$13,700/yr	-$1,200
High School (9-12)	$15,500/yr	$16,400/yr	-$900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Columbus

$162,500

Tacoma

$178,100

Choosing Columbus saves $15,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $31,200.

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

Tacoma

Charles Wright Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $28,400/yr

Bellarmine Preparatory School

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,400/yr

Full Columbus breakdown → Full Tacoma breakdown →

Ohio private school costs Washington 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.