Is private school cheaper in Dayton or Fort Wayne?

Fort Wayne has lower average private school tuition at $7,900/year vs $8,100/year in Dayton. That's $200/year less, or $2,600 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Fort Wayne over Dayton?

Average tuition in Fort Wayne is $200/year less than Dayton. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $2,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,700/year in Dayton, $5,800/year in Fort Wayne.

How do Dayton and Fort Wayne private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Dayton averages $8,100/year ($4,250 below average). Fort Wayne averages $7,900/year ($4,450 below average).

Private School Cost: Dayton vs Fort Wayne

Fort Wayne averages $200/year less for private school (3% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $2,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Fort Wayne is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,900/year vs $8,100/year in Dayton. Religious schools run $5,700/year on the low end.

Dayton

$8,100

avg tuition/year

$4,250 below national avg

Fort Wayne

$7,900

avg tuition/year

$4,450 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Dayton	Fort Wayne	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$8,100/yr	$7,900/yr	+$200
Religious Schools	$5,700/yr	$5,800/yr	-$100
Independent/Prep	$18,700/yr	$16,500/yr	+$2,200
Elementary (K-5)	$6,900/yr	$6,700/yr	+$200
Middle School (6-8)	$8,100/yr	$7,900/yr	+$200
High School (9-12)	$9,700/yr	$9,500/yr	+$200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Dayton

$105,300

Fort Wayne

$102,700

Choosing Fort Wayne saves $2,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $5,200.

Sample Schools

Dayton

Chaminade Julienne Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $11,400/yr

Dayton Christian Schools

Christian · K–12 · $9,600-$12,000/yr

Fort Wayne

Bishop Luers High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $9,800/yr

Canterbury School (Fort Wayne)

Independent · PK–12 · $20,400/yr

Full Dayton breakdown → Full Fort Wayne breakdown →

Ohio private school costs Indiana private school costs

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.