Is private school cheaper in Columbia or Montgomery?

Montgomery has lower average private school tuition at $7,400/year vs $8,200/year in Columbia. That's $800/year less, or $10,400 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Montgomery is $800/year less than Columbia. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $10,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,000/year in Columbia, $5,500/year in Montgomery.

How do Columbia and Montgomery 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). Montgomery averages $7,400/year ($4,950 below average).

Private School Cost: Columbia vs Montgomery

Montgomery averages $800/year less for private school (11% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $10,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Montgomery is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,400/year vs $8,200/year in Columbia. Religious schools run $5,500/year on the low end.

Columbia

$8,200

avg tuition/year

$4,150 below national avg

Montgomery

$7,400

avg tuition/year

$4,950 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Columbia	Montgomery	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$8,200/yr	$7,400/yr	+$800
Religious Schools	$6,000/yr	$5,500/yr	+$500
Independent/Prep	$17,000/yr	$15,100/yr	+$1,900
Elementary (K-5)	$7,000/yr	$6,300/yr	+$700
Middle School (6-8)	$8,200/yr	$7,400/yr	+$800
High School (9-12)	$9,800/yr	$8,900/yr	+$900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Columbia

$106,600

Montgomery

$96,200

Choosing Montgomery saves $10,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $20,800.

Sample Schools

Columbia

Hammond School (Columbia SC)

Independent · PK–12 · $16,400/yr

Cardinal Newman School (Columbia SC)

Catholic · PK–12 · $11,200/yr

Montgomery

Montgomery Academy

Independent · K–12 · $14,200/yr

Saint James School (Montgomery)

Christian · PK–12 · $12,800/yr

Full Columbia breakdown → Full Montgomery breakdown →

South Carolina private school costs Alabama 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.