Is private school cheaper in Columbia or Naperville?

Columbia has lower average private school tuition at $8,200/year vs $13,800/year in Naperville. That's $5,600/year less, or $72,800 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Columbia is $5,600/year less than Naperville. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $72,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,000/year in Columbia, $8,700/year in Naperville.

How do Columbia and Naperville 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). Naperville averages $13,800/year ($1,450 above average).

Private School Cost: Columbia vs Naperville

Columbia averages $5,600/year less for private school (68% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $72,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Columbia is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,200/year vs $13,800/year in Naperville. Religious schools run $6,000/year on the low end.

Columbia

$8,200

avg tuition/year

$4,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Naperville

$13,800

avg tuition/year

$1,450 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Columbia	Naperville	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$8,200/yr	$13,800/yr	-$5,600
Religious Schools	$6,000/yr	$8,700/yr	-$2,700
Independent/Prep	$17,000/yr	$31,900/yr	-$14,900
Elementary (K-5)	$7,000/yr	$11,700/yr	-$4,700
Middle School (6-8)	$8,200/yr	$13,800/yr	-$5,600
High School (9-12)	$9,800/yr	$16,600/yr	-$6,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Columbia

$106,600

Naperville

$179,400

Choosing Columbia saves $72,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $145,600.

Sample Schools

Columbia

Hammond School (Columbia SC)

Independent · PK–12 · $16,400/yr

Cardinal Newman School (Columbia SC)

Catholic · PK–12 · $11,200/yr

Naperville

Benet Academy (Lisle/Naperville area)

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,400/yr

Wheaton Academy

Christian · 9–12 · $18,200/yr

Full Columbia breakdown → Full Naperville breakdown →

South Carolina private school costs Illinois 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.