Is private school cheaper in Columbia or Spokane?

Columbia has lower average private school tuition at $8,200/year vs $12,800/year in Spokane. That's $4,600/year less, or $59,800 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Columbia is $4,600/year less than Spokane. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $59,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,000/year in Columbia, $8,700/year in Spokane.

How do Columbia and Spokane 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). Spokane averages $12,800/year ($450 above average).

Private School Cost: Columbia vs Spokane

Columbia averages $4,600/year less for private school (56% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $59,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Columbia is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,200/year vs $12,800/year in Spokane. Religious schools run $6,000/year on the low end.

Columbia

$8,200

avg tuition/year

$4,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Spokane

$12,800

avg tuition/year

$450 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Columbia	Spokane	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$8,200/yr	$12,800/yr	-$4,600
Religious Schools	$6,000/yr	$8,700/yr	-$2,700
Independent/Prep	$17,000/yr	$27,400/yr	-$10,400
Elementary (K-5)	$7,000/yr	$10,900/yr	-$3,900
Middle School (6-8)	$8,200/yr	$12,800/yr	-$4,600
High School (9-12)	$9,800/yr	$15,400/yr	-$5,600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Columbia

$106,600

Spokane

$166,400

Choosing Columbia saves $59,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $119,600.

Sample Schools

Columbia

Hammond School (Columbia SC)

Independent · PK–12 · $16,400/yr

Cardinal Newman School (Columbia SC)

Catholic · PK–12 · $11,200/yr

Spokane

Gonzaga Preparatory School

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,400/yr

Spokane Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

Full Columbia breakdown → Full Spokane breakdown →

South Carolina private school costs Washington 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.