Is private school cheaper in Columbus or Trenton?

Columbus has lower average private school tuition at $12,500/year vs $16,800/year in Trenton. That's $4,300/year less, or $55,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Columbus is $4,300/year less than Trenton. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $55,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,000/year in Columbus, $10,800/year in Trenton.

How do Columbus and Trenton 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). Trenton averages $16,800/year ($4,450 above average).

Private School Cost: Columbus vs Trenton

Columbus averages $4,300/year less for private school (34% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $55,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Columbus is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $12,500/year vs $16,800/year in Trenton. Religious schools run $8,000/year on the low end.

Columbus

$12,500

avg tuition/year

$150 above national avg

Lower cost

Trenton

$16,800

avg tuition/year

$4,450 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Columbus	Trenton	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$12,500/yr	$16,800/yr	-$4,300
Religious Schools	$8,000/yr	$10,800/yr	-$2,800
Independent/Prep	$23,500/yr	$35,800/yr	-$12,300
Elementary (K-5)	$10,200/yr	$14,300/yr	-$4,100
Middle School (6-8)	$12,500/yr	$16,800/yr	-$4,300
High School (9-12)	$15,500/yr	$20,200/yr	-$4,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Columbus

$162,500

Trenton

$218,400

Choosing Columbus saves $55,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $111,800.

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

Trenton

Notre Dame High School (Trenton NJ)

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,200/yr

Trenton Catholic Academy

Catholic · K–12 · $12,400/yr

Full Columbus breakdown → Full Trenton breakdown →

Ohio private school costs New Jersey 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.