Market intelligence · Columbus, OH

Columbus childcare real estate: values, cap rates & market data.

Q: Can I sell my center without my staff or competitors finding out?

Yes. Little Scholars runs confidential sale processes — buyers are qualified and sign NDAs before any identifying information about your center is shared.

What childcare centers and daycare properties are worth in the Columbus market — grounded in our own sold-comps database, our 2025 tuition survey, and U.S. Census data.

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135,376

Children under 5 in the Columbus metro (2023)

+4.8%

Population change, 2018–2023

$79,847

Median household income — above the U.S. national median

−1.7%

Change in under-5 population, 2018–2023

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2018 & 2023), Columbus, OH Metro Area.

What this means for owners

The Midwest's steadiest growth market.

Metro Columbus grew 4.8% from 2018 to 2023 while its under-5 population held nearly flat, easing just 1.7% — remarkable stability for a Midwestern metro. Median household income crossed the national median, reaching $79,847.

Our Ohio comps trade around a 6.8% median cap on 20 sales — the tightest pricing we track in the Midwest — and the surveyed schools cluster in the growth corridors: Dublin, Powell, Westerville, Pickerington. Steady demographics plus tight caps is a seller's combination.

2025 tuition rates · Columbus market

Real rates from Columbus-market schools.

Actual monthly tuition rates our team received from national-chain schools in this market during our 2025 survey — not averages. Tuition drives revenue, and revenue drives value.

$1,732

Median infant rate / mo · Columbus market

$1,472

Median preschool rate / mo · Columbus market

75%

Median occupancy (enrollment ÷ licensed capacity), schools reporting

Brand	Location	Infant / mo	Pre-K / mo	Licensed capacity
KinderCare	Westerville (County Line Rd)	$1,862	$1,472	132
KinderCare	Pickerington (Winderly Ln)	$1,472	$1,234	110
Tutor Time	Dublin (Emerald Pkwy)	$1,775	$1,533	174
Tutor Time	Powell (Discovery Ln)	$1,862	$1,524	178
La Petite Academy	Columbus (Polaris Pkwy)	$1,490	$1,078	160
La Petite Academy	Blacklick (Bannockburn Blvd)	$1,732	$1,342	162
Kiddie Academy	Dublin (Avery Rd)	$1,732	$1,516	120
Kiddie Academy	Powell (Summit View Rd)	$1,689	$1,364	120
Kiddie Academy	Westerville (Westerview Dr)	$1,775	$1,494	94

Disclosure: these rates and enrollment figures were manually received by our team, directly from each school, during our 2025 survey. Only schools that shared rates are shown; figures may have changed since. Medians are computed across the schools shown; median occupancy uses only schools that reported exact enrollment. Licensed capacity per state licensing records. Source: Little Scholars 2025 brand rate survey.

Cap rates & valuation context

What childcare properties trade at in Ohio.

Across our sold-comps database, Ohio childcare properties have typically traded at 6.3–7.1% cap rates, at a median of $262 per square foot, across 20 statewide sales. Where your property lands comes down to tenant credit, lease term, and the site itself.

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Source: Little Scholars sold-comps dataset — medians from 20 Ohio childcare sales (10 with reported cap rate), within 592 transactions across 41 states; compiled from public records, updated June 2026.

6.3–7.1%

Typical cap-rate range, OH sales

6.8%

Median sold cap rate, OH

$262

Median price per SF, OH

OH childcare sales in our dataset

Brand (national)	Median sold cap	Median $/SF
KinderCare	6.67%	$381
La Petite Academy	6.89%	$207
Kiddie Academy	6.46%	$378
Tutor Time	8.47%	$372
Childtime	6.20%	$262

Market activity

12 childcare properties currently listed for sale in Ohio.

Source: on-market childcare listings on Crexi as of July 20, 2026, reviewed by our team for childcare relevance. Availability changes daily; contact us for current opportunities.

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Why Little Scholars

The childcare broker who's run one.

30⁺

Years in the industry

70⁺

Centers sold

18⁺

States nationwide

2,800⁺

Investors in our network

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FAQ

Questions from Columbus owners.

How much does daycare tuition cost in Columbus?

In our 2025 survey of national-chain schools in the Columbus market, actual rates ran roughly $1,472–$1,862/mo for infants and $1,078–$1,533/mo for Pre-K, with medians of $1,732 and $1,472. Rates were received directly from each school and vary by program and location.

What cap rates do childcare properties sell at in Ohio?

In our sold-comps dataset of 20 Ohio childcare sales, properties have sold at a median cap rate of roughly 6.8%, typically ranging 6.3–7.1%, at a median of $262 per square foot. Individual deals vary with tenant credit, lease term, and location.

How much is my Columbus daycare business worth?

Childcare businesses are usually valued on a multiple of SDE or EBITDA, and the real estate on its income and comparable sales. Our instant valuation tool estimates both — free and confidential.

Who buys childcare centers in central Ohio?

Regional and national operators, franchisees, and net-lease real-estate investors. We maintain a network of 2,800+ childcare and net-lease investors who actively acquire early-education assets across 18+ states.

Can I sell my center without my staff or competitors finding out?

Yes. We run confidential sale processes — buyers are qualified and sign NDAs before any identifying information about your center is shared. Here's how our process works.

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