Is private school cheaper in Arvada or Columbia?

Columbia has lower average private school tuition at $8,200/year vs $13,100/year in Arvada. That's $4,900/year less, or $63,700 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Columbia is $4,900/year less than Arvada. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $63,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,500/year in Arvada, $6,000/year in Columbia.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Arvada averages $13,100/year ($750 above average). Columbia averages $8,200/year ($4,150 below average).

Private School Cost: Arvada vs Columbia

Columbia averages $4,900/year less for private school (60% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $63,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Columbia is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,200/year vs $13,100/year in Arvada. Religious schools run $6,000/year on the low end.

Arvada

$13,100

avg tuition/year

$750 above national avg

Columbia

$8,200

avg tuition/year

$4,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Arvada	Columbia	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$13,100/yr	$8,200/yr	+$4,900
Religious Schools	$8,500/yr	$6,000/yr	+$2,500
Independent/Prep	$25,700/yr	$17,000/yr	+$8,700
Elementary (K-5)	$11,100/yr	$7,000/yr	+$4,100
Middle School (6-8)	$13,100/yr	$8,200/yr	+$4,900
High School (9-12)	$15,700/yr	$9,800/yr	+$5,900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Arvada

$170,300

Columbia

$106,600

Choosing Columbia saves $63,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $127,400.

Sample Schools

Arvada

Ralston Valley Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $9,600-$12,000/yr

Arvada Academy

Independent · K–12 · $10,400/yr

Columbia

Hammond School (Columbia SC)

Independent · PK–12 · $16,400/yr

Cardinal Newman School (Columbia SC)

Catholic · PK–12 · $11,200/yr

Full Arvada breakdown → Full Columbia breakdown →

Colorado 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.