Is private school cheaper in Columbia or Peoria?

Columbia has lower average private school tuition at $8,200/year vs $9,700/year in Peoria. That's $1,500/year less, or $19,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Columbia is $1,500/year less than Peoria. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $19,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,000/year in Columbia, $7,300/year in Peoria.

How do Columbia and Peoria 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). Peoria averages $9,700/year ($2,650 below average).

Private School Cost: Columbia vs Peoria

Columbia averages $1,500/year less for private school (18% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $19,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Columbia is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,200/year vs $9,700/year in Peoria. Religious schools run $6,000/year on the low end.

Columbia

$8,200

avg tuition/year

$4,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Peoria

$9,700

avg tuition/year

$2,650 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Columbia	Peoria	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$8,200/yr	$9,700/yr	-$1,500
Religious Schools	$6,000/yr	$7,300/yr	-$1,300
Independent/Prep	$17,000/yr	$18,500/yr	-$1,500
Elementary (K-5)	$7,000/yr	$8,200/yr	-$1,200
Middle School (6-8)	$8,200/yr	$9,700/yr	-$1,500
High School (9-12)	$9,800/yr	$11,600/yr	-$1,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Columbia

$106,600

Peoria

$126,100

Choosing Columbia saves $19,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $39,000.

Sample Schools

Columbia

Hammond School (Columbia SC)

Independent · PK–12 · $16,400/yr

Cardinal Newman School (Columbia SC)

Catholic · PK–12 · $11,200/yr

Peoria

Sandra Day O'Connor Prep (Peoria)

Independent · 9–12 · $10,400/yr

Deer Valley Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $8,800-$10,800/yr

Full Columbia breakdown → Full Peoria breakdown →

South Carolina private school costs Arizona 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.