Is private school cheaper in Ann Arbor or Columbia?

Columbia has lower average private school tuition at $8,200/year vs $10,400/year in Ann Arbor. That's $2,200/year less, or $28,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Columbia is $2,200/year less than Ann Arbor. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $28,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,200/year in Ann Arbor, $6,000/year in Columbia.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Ann Arbor averages $10,400/year ($1,950 below average). Columbia averages $8,200/year ($4,150 below average).

Private School Cost: Ann Arbor vs Columbia

Columbia averages $2,200/year less for private school (27% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $28,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Columbia is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,200/year vs $10,400/year in Ann Arbor. Religious schools run $6,000/year on the low end.

Ann Arbor

$10,400

avg tuition/year

$1,950 below national avg

Columbia

$8,200

avg tuition/year

$4,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Ann Arbor	Columbia	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$10,400/yr	$8,200/yr	+$2,200
Religious Schools	$7,200/yr	$6,000/yr	+$1,200
Independent/Prep	$22,200/yr	$17,000/yr	+$5,200
Elementary (K-5)	$8,800/yr	$7,000/yr	+$1,800
Middle School (6-8)	$10,400/yr	$8,200/yr	+$2,200
High School (9-12)	$12,500/yr	$9,800/yr	+$2,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Ann Arbor

$135,200

Columbia

$106,600

Choosing Columbia saves $28,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $57,200.

Sample Schools

Ann Arbor

Greenhills School

Independent · 6–12 · $24,800/yr

Father Gabriel Richard High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

Columbia

Hammond School (Columbia SC)

Independent · PK–12 · $16,400/yr

Cardinal Newman School (Columbia SC)

Catholic · PK–12 · $11,200/yr

Full Ann Arbor breakdown → Full Columbia breakdown →

Michigan 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.