Is private school cheaper in Allen or Columbia?

Columbia has lower average private school tuition at $8,200/year vs $12,600/year in Allen. That's $4,400/year less, or $57,200 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Columbia over Allen?

Average tuition in Columbia is $4,400/year less than Allen. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $57,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,600/year in Allen, $6,000/year in Columbia.

How do Allen and Columbia private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Allen averages $12,600/year ($250 above average). Columbia averages $8,200/year ($4,150 below average).

Private School Cost: Allen vs Columbia

Columbia averages $4,400/year less for private school (54% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $57,200 per child.

Bottom Line

Columbia is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,200/year vs $12,600/year in Allen. Religious schools run $6,000/year on the low end.

Allen

$12,600

avg tuition/year

$250 above national avg

Columbia

$8,200

avg tuition/year

$4,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Allen	Columbia	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$12,600/yr	$8,200/yr	+$4,400
Religious Schools	$8,600/yr	$6,000/yr	+$2,600
Independent/Prep	$26,600/yr	$17,000/yr	+$9,600
Elementary (K-5)	$10,700/yr	$7,000/yr	+$3,700
Middle School (6-8)	$12,600/yr	$8,200/yr	+$4,400
High School (9-12)	$15,100/yr	$9,800/yr	+$5,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Allen

$163,800

Columbia

$106,600

Choosing Columbia saves $57,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $114,400.

Sample Schools

Allen

Allen Christian Academy

Christian · PK–12 · $10,200-$12,800/yr

Our Lady of Angels School (Allen)

Catholic · K–8 · $8,800-$10,600/yr

Columbia

Hammond School (Columbia SC)

Independent · PK–12 · $16,400/yr

Cardinal Newman School (Columbia SC)

Catholic · PK–12 · $11,200/yr

Full Allen breakdown → Full Columbia breakdown →

Texas private school costs South Carolina 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.