Is private school cheaper in Columbia or Fresno?

Columbia has lower average private school tuition at $8,200/year vs $10,500/year in Fresno. That's $2,300/year less, or $29,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Columbia is $2,300/year less than Fresno. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $29,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,000/year in Columbia, $7,000/year in Fresno.

How do Columbia and Fresno 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). Fresno averages $10,500/year ($1,850 below average).

Private School Cost: Columbia vs Fresno

Columbia averages $2,300/year less for private school (28% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $29,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Columbia is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,200/year vs $10,500/year in Fresno. Religious schools run $6,000/year on the low end.

Columbia

$8,200

avg tuition/year

$4,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Fresno

$10,500

avg tuition/year

$1,850 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Columbia	Fresno	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$8,200/yr	$10,500/yr	-$2,300
Religious Schools	$6,000/yr	$7,000/yr	-$1,000
Independent/Prep	$17,000/yr	$19,500/yr	-$2,500
Elementary (K-5)	$7,000/yr	$8,600/yr	-$1,600
Middle School (6-8)	$8,200/yr	$10,500/yr	-$2,300
High School (9-12)	$9,800/yr	$12,900/yr	-$3,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Columbia

$106,600

Fresno

$136,500

Choosing Columbia saves $29,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $59,800.

Sample Schools

Columbia

Hammond School (Columbia SC)

Independent · PK–12 · $16,400/yr

Cardinal Newman School (Columbia SC)

Catholic · PK–12 · $11,200/yr

Fresno

Clovis Christian Schools

Christian · K–12 · $9,200-$10,800/yr

Central High School (Fresno) (Catholic)

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,800/yr

Bullard Talent School

Magnet (Free) · K–8

Fresno Christian Schools

Christian · K–12 · $9,800-$11,400/yr

Full Columbia breakdown → Full Fresno 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.