Is private school cheaper in Columbia or Yonkers?

Columbia has lower average private school tuition at $8,200/year vs $25,800/year in Yonkers. That's $17,600/year less, or $228,800 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Columbia is $17,600/year less than Yonkers. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $228,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,000/year in Columbia, $14,700/year in Yonkers.

How do Columbia and Yonkers 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). Yonkers averages $25,800/year ($13,450 above average).

Private School Cost: Columbia vs Yonkers

Columbia averages $17,600/year less for private school (215% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $228,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Columbia is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,200/year vs $25,800/year in Yonkers. Religious schools run $6,000/year on the low end.

Columbia

$8,200

avg tuition/year

$4,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Yonkers

$25,800

avg tuition/year

$13,450 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Columbia	Yonkers	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$8,200/yr	$25,800/yr	-$17,600
Religious Schools	$6,000/yr	$14,700/yr	-$8,700
Independent/Prep	$17,000/yr	$54,800/yr	-$37,800
Elementary (K-5)	$7,000/yr	$21,900/yr	-$14,900
Middle School (6-8)	$8,200/yr	$25,800/yr	-$17,600
High School (9-12)	$9,800/yr	$31,000/yr	-$21,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Columbia

$106,600

Yonkers

$335,400

Choosing Columbia saves $228,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $457,600.

Sample Schools

Columbia

Hammond School (Columbia SC)

Independent · PK–12 · $16,400/yr

Cardinal Newman School (Columbia SC)

Catholic · PK–12 · $11,200/yr

Yonkers

Saunders Trades & Technical High School (Private Prep)

Independent · 9–12 · $22,000/yr

Sacred Heart High School (Yonkers)

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Full Columbia breakdown → Full Yonkers breakdown →

South Carolina private school costs New York 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.