Is private school cheaper in Columbia or Stamford?

Columbia has lower average private school tuition at $8,200/year vs $29,900/year in Stamford. That's $21,700/year less, or $282,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Columbia is $21,700/year less than Stamford. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $282,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,000/year in Columbia, $16,500/year in Stamford.

How do Columbia and Stamford 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). Stamford averages $29,900/year ($17,550 above average).

Private School Cost: Columbia vs Stamford

Columbia averages $21,700/year less for private school (265% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $282,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Columbia is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,200/year vs $29,900/year in Stamford. Religious schools run $6,000/year on the low end.

Columbia

$8,200

avg tuition/year

$4,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Stamford

$29,900

avg tuition/year

$17,550 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Columbia	Stamford	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$8,200/yr	$29,900/yr	-$21,700
Religious Schools	$6,000/yr	$16,500/yr	-$10,500
Independent/Prep	$17,000/yr	$59,500/yr	-$42,500
Elementary (K-5)	$7,000/yr	$25,400/yr	-$18,400
Middle School (6-8)	$8,200/yr	$29,900/yr	-$21,700
High School (9-12)	$9,800/yr	$35,900/yr	-$26,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Columbia

$106,600

Stamford

$388,700

Choosing Columbia saves $282,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $564,200.

Sample Schools

Columbia

Hammond School (Columbia SC)

Independent · PK–12 · $16,400/yr

Cardinal Newman School (Columbia SC)

Catholic · PK–12 · $11,200/yr

Stamford

King School (Stamford)

Independent · PK–12 · $47,800/yr

Bi-Cultural Day School

Independent (Jewish) · K–8 · $26,400/yr

Full Columbia breakdown → Full Stamford breakdown →

South Carolina private school costs Connecticut 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.