Is private school cheaper in Cary or Columbia?

Columbia has lower average private school tuition at $8,200/year vs $11,500/year in Cary. That's $3,300/year less, or $42,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Columbia is $3,300/year less than Cary. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $42,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,100/year in Cary, $6,000/year in Columbia.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Cary averages $11,500/year ($850 below average). Columbia averages $8,200/year ($4,150 below average).

Private School Cost: Cary vs Columbia

Columbia averages $3,300/year less for private school (40% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $42,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Columbia is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,200/year vs $11,500/year in Cary. Religious schools run $6,000/year on the low end.

Cary

$11,500

avg tuition/year

$850 below national avg

Columbia

$8,200

avg tuition/year

$4,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Cary	Columbia	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,500/yr	$8,200/yr	+$3,300
Religious Schools	$8,100/yr	$6,000/yr	+$2,100
Independent/Prep	$24,100/yr	$17,000/yr	+$7,100
Elementary (K-5)	$9,800/yr	$7,000/yr	+$2,800
Middle School (6-8)	$11,500/yr	$8,200/yr	+$3,300
High School (9-12)	$13,800/yr	$9,800/yr	+$4,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Cary

$149,500

Columbia

$106,600

Choosing Columbia saves $42,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $85,800.

Sample Schools

Cary

Cary Academy

Independent · 6–12 · $25,800/yr

Thales Academy (Cary)

Independent · K–12 · $7,200-$9,400/yr

Columbia

Hammond School (Columbia SC)

Independent · PK–12 · $16,400/yr

Cardinal Newman School (Columbia SC)

Catholic · PK–12 · $11,200/yr

Full Cary breakdown → Full Columbia breakdown →

North Carolina 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.