Is private school cheaper in Dayton or Riverside?

Dayton has lower average private school tuition at $8,100/year vs $14,900/year in Riverside. That's $6,800/year less, or $88,400 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Dayton is $6,800/year less than Riverside. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $88,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,700/year in Dayton, $9,700/year in Riverside.

How do Dayton and Riverside 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). Riverside averages $14,900/year ($2,550 above average).

Private School Cost: Dayton vs Riverside

Dayton averages $6,800/year less for private school (84% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $88,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Dayton is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,100/year vs $14,900/year in Riverside. Religious schools run $5,700/year on the low end.

Dayton

$8,100

avg tuition/year

$4,250 below national avg

Lower cost

Riverside

$14,900

avg tuition/year

$2,550 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Dayton	Riverside	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$8,100/yr	$14,900/yr	-$6,800
Religious Schools	$5,700/yr	$9,700/yr	-$4,000
Independent/Prep	$18,700/yr	$29,000/yr	-$10,300
Elementary (K-5)	$6,900/yr	$12,700/yr	-$5,800
Middle School (6-8)	$8,100/yr	$14,900/yr	-$6,800
High School (9-12)	$9,700/yr	$17,900/yr	-$8,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Dayton

$105,300

Riverside

$193,700

Choosing Dayton saves $88,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $176,800.

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

Riverside

Notre Dame High School (Riverside)

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,800/yr

Riverside Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

Full Dayton breakdown → Full Riverside breakdown →

Ohio private school costs California 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.