Is private school cheaper in Columbia or Frederick?

Columbia has lower average private school tuition at $8,200/year vs $16,700/year in Frederick. That's $8,500/year less, or $110,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Columbia is $8,500/year less than Frederick. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $110,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,000/year in Columbia, $11,300/year in Frederick.

How do Columbia and Frederick 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). Frederick averages $16,700/year ($4,350 above average).

Private School Cost: Columbia vs Frederick

Columbia averages $8,500/year less for private school (104% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $110,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Columbia is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,200/year vs $16,700/year in Frederick. Religious schools run $6,000/year on the low end.

Columbia

$8,200

avg tuition/year

$4,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Frederick

$16,700

avg tuition/year

$4,350 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Columbia	Frederick	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$8,200/yr	$16,700/yr	-$8,500
Religious Schools	$6,000/yr	$11,300/yr	-$5,300
Independent/Prep	$17,000/yr	$35,100/yr	-$18,100
Elementary (K-5)	$7,000/yr	$14,200/yr	-$7,200
Middle School (6-8)	$8,200/yr	$16,700/yr	-$8,500
High School (9-12)	$9,800/yr	$20,000/yr	-$10,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Columbia

$106,600

Frederick

$217,100

Choosing Columbia saves $110,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $221,000.

Sample Schools

Columbia

Hammond School (Columbia SC)

Independent · PK–12 · $16,400/yr

Cardinal Newman School (Columbia SC)

Catholic · PK–12 · $11,200/yr

Frederick

Frederick Classical Charter School (Private Prep)

Independent · K–12 · $11,200/yr

Visitation Academy (Frederick MD)

Catholic · PK–8 · $12,400/yr

Full Columbia breakdown → Full Frederick breakdown →

South Carolina private school costs Maryland 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.