Private School Cost: Columbia vs Miami
Columbia averages $10,400/year less for private school (127% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $135,200 per child.
Bottom Line
Columbia is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,200/year vs $18,600/year in Miami. Religious schools run $6,000/year on the low end.
Columbia
SC
$8,200
avg tuition/year
Miami
FL
$18,600
avg tuition/year
Tuition by School Type & Grade
| Category | Columbia | Miami | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Schools (Average) | $8,200/yr | $18,600/yr | -$10,400 |
| Religious Schools | $6,000/yr | $10,800/yr | -$4,800 |
| Independent/Prep | $17,000/yr | $34,000/yr | -$17,000 |
| Elementary (K-5) | $7,000/yr | $15,500/yr | -$8,500 |
| Middle School (6-8) | $8,200/yr | $18,600/yr | -$10,400 |
| High School (9-12) | $9,800/yr | $23,200/yr | -$13,400 |
K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)
Columbia
$106,600
Miami
$241,800
Choosing Columbia saves $135,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $270,400.
Sample Schools
Columbia
Hammond School (Columbia SC)
Independent · PK–12 · $16,400/yr
Cardinal Newman School (Columbia SC)
Catholic · PK–12 · $11,200/yr
Miami
Ransom Everglades School
Independent · 6–12 · $42,800-$45,200/yr
Palmer Trinity School
Independent · 6–12 · $38,600/yr
Christopher Columbus High School
Catholic · 9–12 · $16,200/yr
Belen Jesuit Preparatory School
Catholic · 6–12 · $15,900/yr
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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.