Is private school cheaper in Columbia or Jacksonville?

Columbia has lower average private school tuition at $8,200/year vs $11,500/year in Jacksonville. That's $3,300/year less, or $42,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Columbia is $3,300/year less than Jacksonville. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $42,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,000/year in Columbia, $7,600/year in Jacksonville.

How do Columbia and Jacksonville 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). Jacksonville averages $11,500/year ($850 below average).

Private School Cost: Columbia vs Jacksonville

Columbia averages $3,300/year less for private school (40% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $42,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Columbia is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,200/year vs $11,500/year in Jacksonville. Religious schools run $6,000/year on the low end.

Columbia

$8,200

avg tuition/year

$4,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Jacksonville

$11,500

avg tuition/year

$850 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Columbia	Jacksonville	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$8,200/yr	$11,500/yr	-$3,300
Religious Schools	$6,000/yr	$7,600/yr	-$1,600
Independent/Prep	$17,000/yr	$21,500/yr	-$4,500
Elementary (K-5)	$7,000/yr	$9,400/yr	-$2,400
Middle School (6-8)	$8,200/yr	$11,500/yr	-$3,300
High School (9-12)	$9,800/yr	$14,200/yr	-$4,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Columbia

$106,600

Jacksonville

$149,500

Choosing Columbia saves $42,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $85,800.

Sample Schools

Columbia

Hammond School (Columbia SC)

Independent · PK–12 · $16,400/yr

Cardinal Newman School (Columbia SC)

Catholic · PK–12 · $11,200/yr

Jacksonville

Bolles School

Independent · PK–12 · $24,400-$26,800/yr

Episcopal School of Jacksonville

Independent · PK–12 · $21,800-$23,400/yr

Bishop Kenny High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,400/yr

Ponte Vedra High School (Public)

Public (Reference) · 9–12

Full Columbia breakdown → Full Jacksonville breakdown →

South Carolina private school costs Florida private school costs

Related Comparisons

Jacksonville vs Miami →

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.