Is private school cheaper in Columbia or McAllen?

Columbia has lower average private school tuition at $8,200/year vs $9,400/year in McAllen. That's $1,200/year less, or $15,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Columbia is $1,200/year less than McAllen. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $15,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,000/year in Columbia, $6,400/year in McAllen.

How do Columbia and McAllen 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). McAllen averages $9,400/year ($2,950 below average).

Private School Cost: Columbia vs McAllen

Columbia averages $1,200/year less for private school (15% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $15,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Columbia is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,200/year vs $9,400/year in McAllen. Religious schools run $6,000/year on the low end.

Columbia

$8,200

avg tuition/year

$4,150 below national avg

Lower cost

McAllen

$9,400

avg tuition/year

$2,950 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Columbia	McAllen	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$8,200/yr	$9,400/yr	-$1,200
Religious Schools	$6,000/yr	$6,400/yr	-$400
Independent/Prep	$17,000/yr	$19,800/yr	-$2,800
Elementary (K-5)	$7,000/yr	$8,000/yr	-$1,000
Middle School (6-8)	$8,200/yr	$9,400/yr	-$1,200
High School (9-12)	$9,800/yr	$11,300/yr	-$1,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Columbia

$106,600

McAllen

$122,200

Choosing Columbia saves $15,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $31,200.

Sample Schools

Columbia

Hammond School (Columbia SC)

Independent · PK–12 · $16,400/yr

Cardinal Newman School (Columbia SC)

Catholic · PK–12 · $11,200/yr

McAllen

McAllen Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $8,200-$10,200/yr

St. Joseph Academy (McAllen)

Catholic · K–12 · $7,400-$9,200/yr

Full Columbia breakdown → Full McAllen breakdown →

South Carolina private school costs Texas 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.