Is private school cheaper in Clarksville or Columbia?

Columbia has lower average private school tuition at $8,200/year vs $9,600/year in Clarksville. That's $1,400/year less, or $18,200 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Columbia is $1,400/year less than Clarksville. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $18,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,800/year in Clarksville, $6,000/year in Columbia.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Clarksville averages $9,600/year ($2,750 below average). Columbia averages $8,200/year ($4,150 below average).

Private School Cost: Clarksville vs Columbia

Columbia averages $1,400/year less for private school (17% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $18,200 per child.

Bottom Line

Columbia is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,200/year vs $9,600/year in Clarksville. Religious schools run $6,000/year on the low end.

Clarksville

$9,600

avg tuition/year

$2,750 below national avg

Columbia

$8,200

avg tuition/year

$4,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Clarksville	Columbia	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$9,600/yr	$8,200/yr	+$1,400
Religious Schools	$6,800/yr	$6,000/yr	+$800
Independent/Prep	$20,300/yr	$17,000/yr	+$3,300
Elementary (K-5)	$8,200/yr	$7,000/yr	+$1,200
Middle School (6-8)	$9,600/yr	$8,200/yr	+$1,400
High School (9-12)	$11,500/yr	$9,800/yr	+$1,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Clarksville

$124,800

Columbia

$106,600

Choosing Columbia saves $18,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $36,400.

Sample Schools

Clarksville

New Providence Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $8,800-$11,200/yr

West Creek Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $8,200-$10,400/yr

Columbia

Hammond School (Columbia SC)

Independent · PK–12 · $16,400/yr

Cardinal Newman School (Columbia SC)

Catholic · PK–12 · $11,200/yr

Full Clarksville breakdown → Full Columbia breakdown →

Tennessee 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.