Is private school cheaper in Columbia or Fayetteville?

Columbia has lower average private school tuition at $8,200/year vs $9,000/year in Fayetteville. That's $800/year less, or $10,400 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Columbia is $800/year less than Fayetteville. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $10,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,000/year in Columbia, $6,300/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 $9,000/year ($3,350 below average).

Private School Cost: Columbia vs Fayetteville

Columbia averages $800/year less for private school (10% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $10,400 per child.

Bottom Line

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

Columbia

$8,200

avg tuition/year

$4,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Fayetteville

$9,000

avg tuition/year

$3,350 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Columbia	Fayetteville	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$8,200/yr	$9,000/yr	-$800
Religious Schools	$6,000/yr	$6,300/yr	-$300
Independent/Prep	$17,000/yr	$18,900/yr	-$1,900
Elementary (K-5)	$7,000/yr	$7,700/yr	-$700
Middle School (6-8)	$8,200/yr	$9,000/yr	-$800
High School (9-12)	$9,800/yr	$10,800/yr	-$1,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Columbia

$106,600

Fayetteville

$117,000

Choosing Columbia saves $10,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $20,800.

Sample Schools

Columbia

Hammond School (Columbia SC)

Independent · PK–12 · $16,400/yr

Cardinal Newman School (Columbia SC)

Catholic · PK–12 · $11,200/yr

Fayetteville

Cape Fear Academy (Wilmington)

Independent · PK–12 · $16,400/yr

Fayetteville Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Full Columbia breakdown → Full Fayetteville breakdown →

South Carolina private school costs North 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.