Private School Cost: Columbia vs Denver
Columbia averages $8,200/year less for private school (100% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $106,600 per child.
Bottom Line
Columbia is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,200/year vs $16,400/year in Denver. Religious schools run $6,000/year on the low end.
Columbia
SC
$8,200
avg tuition/year
Denver
CO
$16,400
avg tuition/year
Tuition by School Type & Grade
| Category | Columbia | Denver | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Schools (Average) | $8,200/yr | $16,400/yr | -$8,200 |
| Religious Schools | $6,000/yr | $9,800/yr | -$3,800 |
| Independent/Prep | $17,000/yr | $28,500/yr | -$11,500 |
| Elementary (K-5) | $7,000/yr | $13,500/yr | -$6,500 |
| Middle School (6-8) | $8,200/yr | $16,400/yr | -$8,200 |
| High School (9-12) | $9,800/yr | $20,200/yr | -$10,400 |
K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)
Columbia
$106,600
Denver
$213,200
Choosing Columbia saves $106,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $213,200.
Sample Schools
Columbia
Hammond School (Columbia SC)
Independent · PK–12 · $16,400/yr
Cardinal Newman School (Columbia SC)
Catholic · PK–12 · $11,200/yr
Denver
Kent Denver School
Independent · 6–12 · $35,200-$37,800/yr
Colorado Academy
Independent · PK–12 · $33,800-$36,400/yr
Regis Jesuit High School
Catholic · 9–12 · $18,800/yr
Mullen High School
Catholic · 9–12 · $17,400/yr
Related Comparisons
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.