Is private school cheaper in Columbia or McKinney?

Columbia has lower average private school tuition at $8,200/year vs $12,600/year in McKinney. That's $4,400/year less, or $57,200 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Columbia is $4,400/year less than McKinney. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $57,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,000/year in Columbia, $8,600/year in McKinney.

How do Columbia and McKinney 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). McKinney averages $12,600/year ($250 above average).

Private School Cost: Columbia vs McKinney

Columbia averages $4,400/year less for private school (54% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $57,200 per child.

Bottom Line

Columbia is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,200/year vs $12,600/year in McKinney. Religious schools run $6,000/year on the low end.

Columbia

$8,200

avg tuition/year

$4,150 below national avg

Lower cost

McKinney

$12,600

avg tuition/year

$250 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Columbia	McKinney	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$8,200/yr	$12,600/yr	-$4,400
Religious Schools	$6,000/yr	$8,600/yr	-$2,600
Independent/Prep	$17,000/yr	$26,600/yr	-$9,600
Elementary (K-5)	$7,000/yr	$10,700/yr	-$3,700
Middle School (6-8)	$8,200/yr	$12,600/yr	-$4,400
High School (9-12)	$9,800/yr	$15,100/yr	-$5,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Columbia

$106,600

McKinney

$163,800

Choosing Columbia saves $57,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $114,400.

Sample Schools

Columbia

Hammond School (Columbia SC)

Independent · PK–12 · $16,400/yr

Cardinal Newman School (Columbia SC)

Catholic · PK–12 · $11,200/yr

McKinney

Calvary Christian Academy (McKinney)

Christian · PK–12 · $10,200-$12,800/yr

McKinney Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

Full Columbia breakdown → Full McKinney 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.