Is private school cheaper in Columbia or High Point?

Columbia has lower average private school tuition at $8,200/year vs $9,200/year in High Point. That's $1,000/year less, or $13,000 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Columbia is $1,000/year less than High Point. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $13,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,000/year in Columbia, $6,500/year in High Point.

How do Columbia and High Point 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). High Point averages $9,200/year ($3,150 below average).

Private School Cost: Columbia vs High Point

Columbia averages $1,000/year less for private school (12% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $13,000 per child.

Bottom Line

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

Columbia

$8,200

avg tuition/year

$4,150 below national avg

Lower cost

High Point

$9,200

avg tuition/year

$3,150 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Columbia	High Point	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$8,200/yr	$9,200/yr	-$1,000
Religious Schools	$6,000/yr	$6,500/yr	-$500
Independent/Prep	$17,000/yr	$19,400/yr	-$2,400
Elementary (K-5)	$7,000/yr	$7,800/yr	-$800
Middle School (6-8)	$8,200/yr	$9,200/yr	-$1,000
High School (9-12)	$9,800/yr	$11,000/yr	-$1,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Columbia

$106,600

High Point

$119,600

Choosing Columbia saves $13,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $26,000.

Sample Schools

Columbia

Hammond School (Columbia SC)

Independent · PK–12 · $16,400/yr

Cardinal Newman School (Columbia SC)

Catholic · PK–12 · $11,200/yr

High Point

Wesleyan Christian Academy (HP)

Christian · K–12 · $10,200-$12,800/yr

Greensboro Day School

Independent · PK–12 · $24,400/yr

Full Columbia breakdown → Full High Point 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.