Is private school cheaper in Atlanta or Columbia?

Columbia has lower average private school tuition at $8,200/year vs $15,200/year in Atlanta. That's $7,000/year less, or $91,000 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Columbia is $7,000/year less than Atlanta. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $91,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,400/year in Atlanta, $6,000/year in Columbia.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Atlanta averages $15,200/year ($2,850 above average). Columbia averages $8,200/year ($4,150 below average).

Private School Cost: Atlanta vs Columbia

Columbia averages $7,000/year less for private school (85% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $91,000 per child.

Bottom Line

Columbia is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,200/year vs $15,200/year in Atlanta. Religious schools run $6,000/year on the low end.

Atlanta

$15,200

avg tuition/year

$2,850 above national avg

Columbia

$8,200

avg tuition/year

$4,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Atlanta	Columbia	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$15,200/yr	$8,200/yr	+$7,000
Religious Schools	$9,400/yr	$6,000/yr	+$3,400
Independent/Prep	$28,500/yr	$17,000/yr	+$11,500
Elementary (K-5)	$12,500/yr	$7,000/yr	+$5,500
Middle School (6-8)	$15,200/yr	$8,200/yr	+$7,000
High School (9-12)	$18,800/yr	$9,800/yr	+$9,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Atlanta

$197,600

Columbia

$106,600

Choosing Columbia saves $91,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $182,000.

Sample Schools

Atlanta

The Westminster Schools

Independent · 1–12 · $35,800-$38,400/yr

Pace Academy

Independent · K–12 · $34,200/yr

Lovett School

Independent · K–12 · $33,600/yr

Marist School Atlanta

Catholic · 7–12 · $19,400/yr

Columbia

Hammond School (Columbia SC)

Independent · PK–12 · $16,400/yr

Cardinal Newman School (Columbia SC)

Catholic · PK–12 · $11,200/yr

Full Atlanta breakdown → Full Columbia breakdown →

Georgia private school costs South Carolina private school costs

Related Comparisons

Atlanta vs Charlotte → Nashville vs Atlanta → Washington DC vs Atlanta →

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.