Is private school cheaper in Columbia or Huntsville?

Huntsville has lower average private school tuition at $7,800/year vs $8,200/year in Columbia. That's $400/year less, or $5,200 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Huntsville is $400/year less than Columbia. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $5,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,000/year in Columbia, $5,800/year in Huntsville.

How do Columbia and Huntsville 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). Huntsville averages $7,800/year ($4,550 below average).

Private School Cost: Columbia vs Huntsville

Huntsville averages $400/year less for private school (5% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $5,200 per child.

Bottom Line

Huntsville is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,800/year vs $8,200/year in Columbia. Religious schools run $5,800/year on the low end.

Columbia

$8,200

avg tuition/year

$4,150 below national avg

Huntsville

$7,800

avg tuition/year

$4,550 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Columbia	Huntsville	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$8,200/yr	$7,800/yr	+$400
Religious Schools	$6,000/yr	$5,800/yr	+$200
Independent/Prep	$17,000/yr	$16,000/yr	+$1,000
Elementary (K-5)	$7,000/yr	$6,600/yr	+$400
Middle School (6-8)	$8,200/yr	$7,800/yr	+$400
High School (9-12)	$9,800/yr	$9,400/yr	+$400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Columbia

$106,600

Huntsville

$101,400

Choosing Huntsville saves $5,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $10,400.

Sample Schools

Columbia

Hammond School (Columbia SC)

Independent · PK–12 · $16,400/yr

Cardinal Newman School (Columbia SC)

Catholic · PK–12 · $11,200/yr

Huntsville

Randolph School (Huntsville)

Independent · PK–12 · $17,400/yr

St. John Paul II Catholic High School (Huntsville)

Catholic · 9–12 · $10,400/yr

Full Columbia breakdown → Full Huntsville breakdown →

South Carolina private school costs Alabama 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.