Is private school cheaper in Bridgeport or Columbia?

Columbia has lower average private school tuition at $8,200/year vs $23,100/year in Bridgeport. That's $14,900/year less, or $193,700 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Columbia is $14,900/year less than Bridgeport. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $193,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $12,700/year in Bridgeport, $6,000/year in Columbia.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Bridgeport averages $23,100/year ($10,750 above average). Columbia averages $8,200/year ($4,150 below average).

Private School Cost: Bridgeport vs Columbia

Columbia averages $14,900/year less for private school (182% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $193,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Columbia is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,200/year vs $23,100/year in Bridgeport. Religious schools run $6,000/year on the low end.

Bridgeport

$23,100

avg tuition/year

$10,750 above national avg

Columbia

$8,200

avg tuition/year

$4,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Bridgeport	Columbia	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$23,100/yr	$8,200/yr	+$14,900
Religious Schools	$12,700/yr	$6,000/yr	+$6,700
Independent/Prep	$45,900/yr	$17,000/yr	+$28,900
Elementary (K-5)	$19,600/yr	$7,000/yr	+$12,600
Middle School (6-8)	$23,100/yr	$8,200/yr	+$14,900
High School (9-12)	$27,700/yr	$9,800/yr	+$17,900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Bridgeport

$300,300

Columbia

$106,600

Choosing Columbia saves $193,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $387,400.

Sample Schools

Bridgeport

Fairfield Prep

Catholic · 9–12 · $22,800/yr

Academy of Our Lady of Mercy

Catholic · PK–12 · $14,800/yr

Columbia

Hammond School (Columbia SC)

Independent · PK–12 · $16,400/yr

Cardinal Newman School (Columbia SC)

Catholic · PK–12 · $11,200/yr

Full Bridgeport breakdown → Full Columbia breakdown →

Connecticut 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.