Is private school cheaper in Columbia or Washington DC?

Columbia has lower average private school tuition at $8,200/year vs $28,400/year in Washington DC. That's $20,200/year less, or $262,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Columbia is $20,200/year less than Washington DC. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $262,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,000/year in Columbia, $15,200/year in Washington DC.

How do Columbia and Washington DC 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). Washington DC averages $28,400/year ($16,050 above average).

Private School Cost: Columbia vs Washington DC

Columbia averages $20,200/year less for private school (246% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $262,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Columbia is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,200/year vs $28,400/year in Washington DC. Religious schools run $6,000/year on the low end.

Columbia

$8,200

avg tuition/year

$4,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Washington DC

$28,400

avg tuition/year

$16,050 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Columbia	Washington DC	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$8,200/yr	$28,400/yr	-$20,200
Religious Schools	$6,000/yr	$15,200/yr	-$9,200
Independent/Prep	$17,000/yr	$46,000/yr	-$29,000
Elementary (K-5)	$7,000/yr	$23,000/yr	-$16,000
Middle School (6-8)	$8,200/yr	$28,400/yr	-$20,200
High School (9-12)	$9,800/yr	$35,500/yr	-$25,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Columbia

$106,600

Washington DC

$369,200

Choosing Columbia saves $262,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $525,200.

Sample Schools

Columbia

Hammond School (Columbia SC)

Independent · PK–12 · $16,400/yr

Cardinal Newman School (Columbia SC)

Catholic · PK–12 · $11,200/yr

Washington DC

Sidwell Friends School

Independent (Quaker) · PK–12 · $52,900/yr

Georgetown Day School

Independent · PK–12 · $51,400/yr

National Cathedral School

Independent · 4–12 · $50,200/yr

Gonzaga College High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $25,400/yr

Full Columbia breakdown → Full Washington DC breakdown →

South Carolina private school costs District of Columbia private school costs

Related Comparisons

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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.