Is private school cheaper in Columbia or Lowell?

Columbia has lower average private school tuition at $8,200/year vs $23,600/year in Lowell. That's $15,400/year less, or $200,200 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Columbia is $15,400/year less than Lowell. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $200,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,000/year in Columbia, $12,800/year in Lowell.

How do Columbia and Lowell 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). Lowell averages $23,600/year ($11,250 above average).

Private School Cost: Columbia vs Lowell

Columbia averages $15,400/year less for private school (188% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $200,200 per child.

Bottom Line

Columbia is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,200/year vs $23,600/year in Lowell. Religious schools run $6,000/year on the low end.

Columbia

$8,200

avg tuition/year

$4,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Lowell

$23,600

avg tuition/year

$11,250 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Columbia	Lowell	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$8,200/yr	$23,600/yr	-$15,400
Religious Schools	$6,000/yr	$12,800/yr	-$6,800
Independent/Prep	$17,000/yr	$48,100/yr	-$31,100
Elementary (K-5)	$7,000/yr	$20,100/yr	-$13,100
Middle School (6-8)	$8,200/yr	$23,600/yr	-$15,400
High School (9-12)	$9,800/yr	$28,300/yr	-$18,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Columbia

$106,600

Lowell

$306,800

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

Sample Schools

Columbia

Hammond School (Columbia SC)

Independent · PK–12 · $16,400/yr

Cardinal Newman School (Columbia SC)

Catholic · PK–12 · $11,200/yr

Lowell

Lowell Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

St. Michael Academy (Lowell)

Catholic · K–8 · $10,800-$12,800/yr

Full Columbia breakdown → Full Lowell breakdown →

South Carolina private school costs Massachusetts 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.