Is private school cheaper in Bellevue or Columbia?

Columbia has lower average private school tuition at $8,200/year vs $18,600/year in Bellevue. That's $10,400/year less, or $135,200 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Columbia is $10,400/year less than Bellevue. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $135,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $12,700/year in Bellevue, $6,000/year in Columbia.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Bellevue averages $18,600/year ($6,250 above average). Columbia averages $8,200/year ($4,150 below average).

Private School Cost: Bellevue vs Columbia

Columbia averages $10,400/year less for private school (127% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $135,200 per child.

Bottom Line

Columbia is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,200/year vs $18,600/year in Bellevue. Religious schools run $6,000/year on the low end.

Bellevue

$18,600

avg tuition/year

$6,250 above national avg

Columbia

$8,200

avg tuition/year

$4,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Bellevue	Columbia	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,600/yr	$8,200/yr	+$10,400
Religious Schools	$12,700/yr	$6,000/yr	+$6,700
Independent/Prep	$39,700/yr	$17,000/yr	+$22,700
Elementary (K-5)	$15,800/yr	$7,000/yr	+$8,800
Middle School (6-8)	$18,600/yr	$8,200/yr	+$10,400
High School (9-12)	$22,300/yr	$9,800/yr	+$12,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Bellevue

$241,800

Columbia

$106,600

Choosing Columbia saves $135,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $270,400.

Sample Schools

Bellevue

The Overlake School

Independent · 5–12 · $37,800/yr

Bellevue Christian School

Christian · PK–12 · $14,200/yr

Bellarmine Preparatory School (Tacoma)

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,400/yr

Columbia

Hammond School (Columbia SC)

Independent · PK–12 · $16,400/yr

Cardinal Newman School (Columbia SC)

Catholic · PK–12 · $11,200/yr

Full Bellevue breakdown → Full Columbia breakdown →

Washington 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.