Is private school cheaper in Centennial or Columbia?

Columbia has lower average private school tuition at $8,200/year vs $13,700/year in Centennial. That's $5,500/year less, or $71,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Columbia is $5,500/year less than Centennial. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $71,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,900/year in Centennial, $6,000/year in Columbia.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Centennial averages $13,700/year ($1,350 above average). Columbia averages $8,200/year ($4,150 below average).

Private School Cost: Centennial vs Columbia

Columbia averages $5,500/year less for private school (67% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $71,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Columbia is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,200/year vs $13,700/year in Centennial. Religious schools run $6,000/year on the low end.

Centennial

$13,700

avg tuition/year

$1,350 above national avg

Columbia

$8,200

avg tuition/year

$4,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Centennial	Columbia	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$13,700/yr	$8,200/yr	+$5,500
Religious Schools	$8,900/yr	$6,000/yr	+$2,900
Independent/Prep	$27,000/yr	$17,000/yr	+$10,000
Elementary (K-5)	$11,600/yr	$7,000/yr	+$4,600
Middle School (6-8)	$13,700/yr	$8,200/yr	+$5,500
High School (9-12)	$16,400/yr	$9,800/yr	+$6,600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Centennial

$178,100

Columbia

$106,600

Choosing Columbia saves $71,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $143,000.

Sample Schools

Centennial

Arapahoe Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $10,400-$12,800/yr

Cherry Creek Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $9,800-$12,200/yr

Columbia

Hammond School (Columbia SC)

Independent · PK–12 · $16,400/yr

Cardinal Newman School (Columbia SC)

Catholic · PK–12 · $11,200/yr

Full Centennial 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.