Is private school cheaper in Baton Rouge or Columbia?

Baton Rouge has lower average private school tuition at $6,500/year vs $8,200/year in Columbia. That's $1,700/year less, or $22,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Baton Rouge is $1,700/year less than Columbia. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $22,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $4,800/year in Baton Rouge, $6,000/year in Columbia.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Baton Rouge averages $6,500/year ($5,850 below average). Columbia averages $8,200/year ($4,150 below average).

Private School Cost: Baton Rouge vs Columbia

Baton Rouge averages $1,700/year less for private school (26% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $22,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Baton Rouge is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,500/year vs $8,200/year in Columbia. Religious schools run $4,800/year on the low end.

Baton Rouge

$6,500

avg tuition/year

$5,850 below national avg

Lower cost

Columbia

$8,200

avg tuition/year

$4,150 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Baton Rouge	Columbia	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$6,500/yr	$8,200/yr	-$1,700
Religious Schools	$4,800/yr	$6,000/yr	-$1,200
Independent/Prep	$15,700/yr	$17,000/yr	-$1,300
Elementary (K-5)	$5,500/yr	$7,000/yr	-$1,500
Middle School (6-8)	$6,500/yr	$8,200/yr	-$1,700
High School (9-12)	$7,800/yr	$9,800/yr	-$2,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Baton Rouge

$84,500

Columbia

$106,600

Choosing Baton Rouge saves $22,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $44,200.

Sample Schools

Baton Rouge

Catholic High School (Baton Rouge)

Catholic · 9–12 · $11,200/yr

Episcopal High School (Baton Rouge)

Independent (Episcopal) · 8–12 · $22,400/yr

Columbia

Hammond School (Columbia SC)

Independent · PK–12 · $16,400/yr

Cardinal Newman School (Columbia SC)

Catholic · PK–12 · $11,200/yr

Full Baton Rouge breakdown → Full Columbia breakdown →

Louisiana 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.