Is private school cheaper in Columbia or Honolulu?

Columbia has lower average private school tuition at $8,200/year vs $20,200/year in Honolulu. That's $12,000/year less, or $156,000 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Columbia is $12,000/year less than Honolulu. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $156,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,000/year in Columbia, $12,900/year in Honolulu.

How do Columbia and Honolulu 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). Honolulu averages $20,200/year ($7,850 above average).

Private School Cost: Columbia vs Honolulu

Columbia averages $12,000/year less for private school (146% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $156,000 per child.

Bottom Line

Columbia is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,200/year vs $20,200/year in Honolulu. Religious schools run $6,000/year on the low end.

Columbia

$8,200

avg tuition/year

$4,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Honolulu

$20,200

avg tuition/year

$7,850 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Columbia	Honolulu	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$8,200/yr	$20,200/yr	-$12,000
Religious Schools	$6,000/yr	$12,900/yr	-$6,900
Independent/Prep	$17,000/yr	$37,600/yr	-$20,600
Elementary (K-5)	$7,000/yr	$17,200/yr	-$10,200
Middle School (6-8)	$8,200/yr	$20,200/yr	-$12,000
High School (9-12)	$9,800/yr	$24,200/yr	-$14,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Columbia

$106,600

Honolulu

$262,600

Choosing Columbia saves $156,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $312,000.

Sample Schools

Columbia

Hammond School (Columbia SC)

Independent · PK–12 · $16,400/yr

Cardinal Newman School (Columbia SC)

Catholic · PK–12 · $11,200/yr

Honolulu

Punahou School

Independent · K–12 · $27,400/yr

Iolani School

Independent (Episcopal) · K–12 · $24,800/yr

Saint Louis School (Honolulu)

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,800/yr

Full Columbia breakdown → Full Honolulu breakdown →

South Carolina private school costs Hawaii 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.