Is private school cheaper in Athens or Columbia?

Columbia has lower average private school tuition at $8,200/year vs $10,100/year in Athens. That's $1,900/year less, or $24,700 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Columbia is $1,900/year less than Athens. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $24,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,000/year in Athens, $6,000/year in Columbia.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Athens averages $10,100/year ($2,250 below average). Columbia averages $8,200/year ($4,150 below average).

Private School Cost: Athens vs Columbia

Columbia averages $1,900/year less for private school (23% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $24,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Columbia is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,200/year vs $10,100/year in Athens. Religious schools run $6,000/year on the low end.

Athens

$10,100

avg tuition/year

$2,250 below national avg

Columbia

$8,200

avg tuition/year

$4,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Athens	Columbia	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$10,100/yr	$8,200/yr	+$1,900
Religious Schools	$7,000/yr	$6,000/yr	+$1,000
Independent/Prep	$20,500/yr	$17,000/yr	+$3,500
Elementary (K-5)	$8,600/yr	$7,000/yr	+$1,600
Middle School (6-8)	$10,100/yr	$8,200/yr	+$1,900
High School (9-12)	$12,100/yr	$9,800/yr	+$2,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Athens

$131,300

Columbia

$106,600

Choosing Columbia saves $24,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $49,400.

Sample Schools

Athens

Athens Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $18,200/yr

Prince Avenue Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $9,800-$12,200/yr

Columbia

Hammond School (Columbia SC)

Independent · PK–12 · $16,400/yr

Cardinal Newman School (Columbia SC)

Catholic · PK–12 · $11,200/yr

Full Athens breakdown → Full Columbia breakdown →

Georgia 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.