Is private school cheaper in Columbia or Columbus?

Columbia has lower average private school tuition at $8,200/year vs $12,500/year in Columbus. That's $4,300/year less, or $55,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Columbia is $4,300/year less than Columbus. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $55,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,000/year in Columbia, $8,000/year in Columbus.

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

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

Private School Cost: Columbia vs Columbus

Columbia averages $4,300/year less for private school (52% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $55,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Columbia is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,200/year vs $12,500/year in Columbus. Religious schools run $6,000/year on the low end.

Columbia

$8,200

avg tuition/year

$4,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Columbus

$12,500

avg tuition/year

$150 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Columbia	Columbus	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$8,200/yr	$12,500/yr	-$4,300
Religious Schools	$6,000/yr	$8,000/yr	-$2,000
Independent/Prep	$17,000/yr	$23,500/yr	-$6,500
Elementary (K-5)	$7,000/yr	$10,200/yr	-$3,200
Middle School (6-8)	$8,200/yr	$12,500/yr	-$4,300
High School (9-12)	$9,800/yr	$15,500/yr	-$5,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Columbia

$106,600

Columbus

$162,500

Choosing Columbia saves $55,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $111,800.

Sample Schools

Columbia

Hammond School (Columbia SC)

Independent · PK–12 · $16,400/yr

Cardinal Newman School (Columbia SC)

Catholic · PK–12 · $11,200/yr

Columbus

Columbus School for Girls

Independent · PK–12 · $22,400-$24,800/yr

Columbus Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $24,200-$26,800/yr

DeSales High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,800/yr

Watterson Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,400/yr

Full Columbia breakdown → Full Columbus breakdown →

South Carolina private school costs Ohio private school costs

Related Comparisons

Chicago vs Columbus → Columbus vs Cincinnati → Minneapolis vs Columbus →

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.