Is private school cheaper in Abilene or Columbia?

Columbia has lower average private school tuition at $8,300/year vs $9,700/year in Abilene. That's $1,400/year less, or $18,200 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Columbia is $1,400/year less than Abilene. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $18,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,600/year in Abilene, $5,900/year in Columbia.

How do Abilene and Columbia private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Abilene averages $9,700/year ($2,650 below average). Columbia averages $8,300/year ($4,050 below average).

Private School Cost: Abilene vs Columbia

Columbia averages $1,400/year less for private school (17% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $18,200 per child.

Bottom Line

Columbia is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,300/year vs $9,700/year in Abilene. Religious schools run $5,900/year on the low end.

Abilene

$9,700

avg tuition/year

$2,650 below national avg

Columbia

$8,300

avg tuition/year

$4,050 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Abilene	Columbia	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$9,700/yr	$8,300/yr	+$1,400
Religious Schools	$6,600/yr	$5,900/yr	+$700
Independent/Prep	$20,600/yr	$19,500/yr	+$1,100
Elementary (K-5)	$8,200/yr	$7,100/yr	+$1,100
Middle School (6-8)	$9,700/yr	$8,300/yr	+$1,400
High School (9-12)	$11,600/yr	$10,000/yr	+$1,600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Abilene

$126,100

Columbia

$107,900

Choosing Columbia saves $18,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $36,400.

Sample Schools

Abilene

Wylie Academy (Abilene)

Christian · K–12 · $8,800-$11,200/yr

St. Joseph School (Abilene)

Catholic · K–8 · $7,400-$9,000/yr

Columbia

Columbia Independent School

Independent · PK–8 · $12,800/yr

Calvary Lutheran School (Columbia MO)

Lutheran · PK–8 · $8,400-$10,400/yr

Full Abilene breakdown → Full Columbia breakdown →

Texas private school costs Missouri 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.