Is private school cheaper in Columbia or Fayetteville?

Fayetteville has lower average private school tuition at $6,600/year vs $8,200/year in Columbia. That's $1,600/year less, or $20,800 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Fayetteville is $1,600/year less than Columbia. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $20,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,000/year in Columbia, $5,000/year in Fayetteville.

How do Columbia and Fayetteville 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). Fayetteville averages $6,600/year ($5,750 below average).

Private School Cost: Columbia vs Fayetteville

Fayetteville averages $1,600/year less for private school (24% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $20,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Fayetteville is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,600/year vs $8,200/year in Columbia. Religious schools run $5,000/year on the low end.

Columbia

$8,200

avg tuition/year

$4,150 below national avg

Fayetteville

$6,600

avg tuition/year

$5,750 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Columbia	Fayetteville	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$8,200/yr	$6,600/yr	+$1,600
Religious Schools	$6,000/yr	$5,000/yr	+$1,000
Independent/Prep	$17,000/yr	$13,100/yr	+$3,900
Elementary (K-5)	$7,000/yr	$5,600/yr	+$1,400
Middle School (6-8)	$8,200/yr	$6,600/yr	+$1,600
High School (9-12)	$9,800/yr	$7,900/yr	+$1,900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Columbia

$106,600

Fayetteville

$85,800

Choosing Fayetteville saves $20,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $41,600.

Sample Schools

Columbia

Hammond School (Columbia SC)

Independent · PK–12 · $16,400/yr

Cardinal Newman School (Columbia SC)

Catholic · PK–12 · $11,200/yr

Fayetteville

Fayetteville Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

Providence Academy (Fayetteville AR)

Christian · K–12 · $8,800-$10,800/yr

Full Columbia breakdown → Full Fayetteville breakdown →

South Carolina private school costs Arkansas 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.