Is private school cheaper in Dayton or Lakeland?

Dayton has lower average private school tuition at $8,100/year vs $9,600/year in Lakeland. That's $1,500/year less, or $19,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Dayton is $1,500/year less than Lakeland. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $19,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,700/year in Dayton, $6,600/year in Lakeland.

How do Dayton and Lakeland 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). Lakeland averages $9,600/year ($2,750 below average).

Private School Cost: Dayton vs Lakeland

Dayton averages $1,500/year less for private school (19% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $19,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Dayton is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,100/year vs $9,600/year in Lakeland. Religious schools run $5,700/year on the low end.

Dayton

$8,100

avg tuition/year

$4,250 below national avg

Lower cost

Lakeland

$9,600

avg tuition/year

$2,750 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Dayton	Lakeland	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$8,100/yr	$9,600/yr	-$1,500
Religious Schools	$5,700/yr	$6,600/yr	-$900
Independent/Prep	$18,700/yr	$19,800/yr	-$1,100
Elementary (K-5)	$6,900/yr	$8,200/yr	-$1,300
Middle School (6-8)	$8,100/yr	$9,600/yr	-$1,500
High School (9-12)	$9,700/yr	$11,500/yr	-$1,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Dayton

$105,300

Lakeland

$124,800

Choosing Dayton saves $19,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $39,000.

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

Lakeland

All Saints Academy (Lakeland)

Catholic · PK–12 · $13,800/yr

Victory Christian School (Lakeland)

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Full Dayton breakdown → Full Lakeland breakdown →

Ohio private school costs Florida 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.