Is private school cheaper in Boise or Columbia?

Boise has lower average private school tuition at $8,000/year vs $8,200/year in Columbia. That's $200/year less, or $2,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Boise is $200/year less than Columbia. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $2,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,500/year in Boise, $6,000/year in Columbia.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Boise averages $8,000/year ($4,350 below average). Columbia averages $8,200/year ($4,150 below average).

Private School Cost: Boise vs Columbia

Boise averages $200/year less for private school (3% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $2,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Boise is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,000/year vs $8,200/year in Columbia. Religious schools run $5,500/year on the low end.

Boise

$8,000

avg tuition/year

$4,350 below national avg

Lower cost

Columbia

$8,200

avg tuition/year

$4,150 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Boise	Columbia	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$8,000/yr	$8,200/yr	-$200
Religious Schools	$5,500/yr	$6,000/yr	-$500
Independent/Prep	$15,500/yr	$17,000/yr	-$1,500
Elementary (K-5)	$6,800/yr	$7,000/yr	-$200
Middle School (6-8)	$8,000/yr	$8,200/yr	-$200
High School (9-12)	$9,600/yr	$9,800/yr	-$200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Boise

$104,000

Columbia

$106,600

Choosing Boise saves $2,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $5,200.

Sample Schools

Boise

The Ambrose School (Boise)

Christian Classical · PK–12 · $12,200-$14,800/yr

Boise Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Columbia

Hammond School (Columbia SC)

Independent · PK–12 · $16,400/yr

Cardinal Newman School (Columbia SC)

Catholic · PK–12 · $11,200/yr

Full Boise breakdown → Full Columbia breakdown →

Idaho 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.