Is private school cheaper in Columbia or Greenville?

Columbia has lower average private school tuition at $8,200/year vs $8,500/year in Greenville. That's $300/year less, or $3,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Columbia is $300/year less than Greenville. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $3,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,000/year in Columbia, $6,200/year in Greenville.

How do Columbia and Greenville 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). Greenville averages $8,500/year ($3,850 below average).

Private School Cost: Columbia vs Greenville

Columbia averages $300/year less for private school (4% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $3,900 per child.

Bottom Line

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

Columbia

$8,200

avg tuition/year

$4,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Greenville

$8,500

avg tuition/year

$3,850 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Columbia	Greenville	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$8,200/yr	$8,500/yr	-$300
Religious Schools	$6,000/yr	$6,200/yr	-$200
Independent/Prep	$17,000/yr	$17,600/yr	-$600
Elementary (K-5)	$7,000/yr	$7,200/yr	-$200
Middle School (6-8)	$8,200/yr	$8,500/yr	-$300
High School (9-12)	$9,800/yr	$10,200/yr	-$400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Columbia

$106,600

Greenville

$110,500

Choosing Columbia saves $3,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $7,800.

Sample Schools

Columbia

Hammond School (Columbia SC)

Independent · PK–12 · $16,400/yr

Cardinal Newman School (Columbia SC)

Catholic · PK–12 · $11,200/yr

Greenville

Greenville Technical Charter High School (Private Prep)

Independent · 9–12 · $10,800/yr

Bob Jones Academy (Greenville)

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Full Columbia breakdown → Full Greenville breakdown →

South 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.