Is private school cheaper in Columbia or Paterson?

Columbia has lower average private school tuition at $8,200/year vs $18,100/year in Paterson. That's $9,900/year less, or $128,700 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Columbia is $9,900/year less than Paterson. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $128,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,000/year in Columbia, $11,700/year in Paterson.

How do Columbia and Paterson 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). Paterson averages $18,100/year ($5,750 above average).

Private School Cost: Columbia vs Paterson

Columbia averages $9,900/year less for private school (121% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $128,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Columbia is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,200/year vs $18,100/year in Paterson. Religious schools run $6,000/year on the low end.

Columbia

$8,200

avg tuition/year

$4,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Paterson

$18,100

avg tuition/year

$5,750 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Columbia	Paterson	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$8,200/yr	$18,100/yr	-$9,900
Religious Schools	$6,000/yr	$11,700/yr	-$5,700
Independent/Prep	$17,000/yr	$38,700/yr	-$21,700
Elementary (K-5)	$7,000/yr	$15,400/yr	-$8,400
Middle School (6-8)	$8,200/yr	$18,100/yr	-$9,900
High School (9-12)	$9,800/yr	$21,700/yr	-$11,900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Columbia

$106,600

Paterson

$235,300

Choosing Columbia saves $128,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $257,400.

Sample Schools

Columbia

Hammond School (Columbia SC)

Independent · PK–12 · $16,400/yr

Cardinal Newman School (Columbia SC)

Catholic · PK–12 · $11,200/yr

Paterson

Paramus Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $15,800/yr

St. Philip the Apostle School

Catholic · K–8 · $10,200-$12,400/yr

Full Columbia breakdown → Full Paterson breakdown →

South Carolina private school costs New Jersey 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.