Is private school cheaper in Boulder or Columbia?

Columbia has lower average private school tuition at $8,200/year vs $15,200/year in Boulder. 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 Boulder?

Average tuition in Columbia is $7,000/year less than Boulder. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $91,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,900/year in Boulder, $6,000/year in Columbia.

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

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

Private School Cost: Boulder 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 Boulder. Religious schools run $6,000/year on the low end.

Boulder

$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	Boulder	Columbia	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$15,200/yr	$8,200/yr	+$7,000
Religious Schools	$9,900/yr	$6,000/yr	+$3,900
Independent/Prep	$29,900/yr	$17,000/yr	+$12,900
Elementary (K-5)	$12,900/yr	$7,000/yr	+$5,900
Middle School (6-8)	$15,200/yr	$8,200/yr	+$7,000
High School (9-12)	$18,200/yr	$9,800/yr	+$8,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Boulder

$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

Boulder

Naropa University Lab School

Independent · K–8 · $18,400/yr

Dawson School

Independent · PK–12 · $26,800/yr

Columbia

Hammond School (Columbia SC)

Independent · PK–12 · $16,400/yr

Cardinal Newman School (Columbia SC)

Catholic · PK–12 · $11,200/yr

Full Boulder breakdown → Full Columbia breakdown →

Colorado 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.