Is private school cheaper in Columbus or Washington DC?

Columbus has lower average private school tuition at $12,500/year vs $28,400/year in Washington DC. That's $15,900/year less, or $206,700 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Columbus is $15,900/year less than Washington DC. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $206,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,000/year in Columbus, $15,200/year in Washington DC.

How do Columbus and Washington DC 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). Washington DC averages $28,400/year ($16,050 above average).

Private School Cost: Columbus vs Washington DC

Columbus averages $15,900/year less for private school (127% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $206,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Columbus is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $12,500/year vs $28,400/year in Washington DC. Religious schools run $8,000/year on the low end.

Columbus

$12,500

avg tuition/year

$150 above national avg

Lower cost

Washington DC

$28,400

avg tuition/year

$16,050 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Columbus	Washington DC	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$12,500/yr	$28,400/yr	-$15,900
Religious Schools	$8,000/yr	$15,200/yr	-$7,200
Independent/Prep	$23,500/yr	$46,000/yr	-$22,500
Elementary (K-5)	$10,200/yr	$23,000/yr	-$12,800
Middle School (6-8)	$12,500/yr	$28,400/yr	-$15,900
High School (9-12)	$15,500/yr	$35,500/yr	-$20,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Columbus

$162,500

Washington DC

$369,200

Choosing Columbus saves $206,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $413,400.

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

Washington DC

Sidwell Friends School

Independent (Quaker) · PK–12 · $52,900/yr

Georgetown Day School

Independent · PK–12 · $51,400/yr

National Cathedral School

Independent · 4–12 · $50,200/yr

Gonzaga College High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $25,400/yr

Full Columbus breakdown → Full Washington DC breakdown →

Ohio private school costs District of Columbia private school costs

Related Comparisons

Chicago vs Columbus → Columbus vs Cincinnati → Washington DC vs Atlanta → 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.