Is private school cheaper in Columbia or Concord?

Columbia has lower average private school tuition at $8,200/year vs $18,000/year in Concord. That's $9,800/year less, or $127,400 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Columbia is $9,800/year less than Concord. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $127,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,000/year in Columbia, $11,700/year in Concord.

How do Columbia and Concord 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). Concord averages $18,000/year ($5,650 above average).

Private School Cost: Columbia vs Concord

Columbia averages $9,800/year less for private school (120% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $127,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Columbia is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,200/year vs $18,000/year in Concord. Religious schools run $6,000/year on the low end.

Columbia

$8,200

avg tuition/year

$4,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Concord

$18,000

avg tuition/year

$5,650 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Columbia	Concord	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$8,200/yr	$18,000/yr	-$9,800
Religious Schools	$6,000/yr	$11,700/yr	-$5,700
Independent/Prep	$17,000/yr	$35,100/yr	-$18,100
Elementary (K-5)	$7,000/yr	$15,300/yr	-$8,300
Middle School (6-8)	$8,200/yr	$18,000/yr	-$9,800
High School (9-12)	$9,800/yr	$21,600/yr	-$11,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Columbia

$106,600

Concord

$234,000

Choosing Columbia saves $127,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $254,800.

Sample Schools

Columbia

Hammond School (Columbia SC)

Independent · PK–12 · $16,400/yr

Cardinal Newman School (Columbia SC)

Catholic · PK–12 · $11,200/yr

Concord

De La Salle High School (Concord)

Catholic · 9–12 · $26,800/yr

Carondelet High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $23,400/yr

Full Columbia breakdown → Full Concord breakdown →

South Carolina private school costs California 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.