Is private school cheaper in Albuquerque or Columbia?

Columbia has lower average private school tuition at $8,300/year vs $10,200/year in Albuquerque. That's $1,900/year less, or $24,700 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Columbia is $1,900/year less than Albuquerque. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $24,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,000/year in Albuquerque, $5,900/year in Columbia.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Albuquerque averages $10,200/year ($2,150 below average). Columbia averages $8,300/year ($4,050 below average).

Private School Cost: Albuquerque vs Columbia

Columbia averages $1,900/year less for private school (23% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $24,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Columbia is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,300/year vs $10,200/year in Albuquerque. Religious schools run $5,900/year on the low end.

Albuquerque

$10,200

avg tuition/year

$2,150 below national avg

Columbia

$8,300

avg tuition/year

$4,050 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Albuquerque	Columbia	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$10,200/yr	$8,300/yr	+$1,900
Religious Schools	$7,000/yr	$5,900/yr	+$1,100
Independent/Prep	$19,000/yr	$19,500/yr	-$500
Elementary (K-5)	$8,400/yr	$7,100/yr	+$1,300
Middle School (6-8)	$10,200/yr	$8,300/yr	+$1,900
High School (9-12)	$12,500/yr	$10,000/yr	+$2,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Albuquerque

$132,600

Columbia

$107,900

Choosing Columbia saves $24,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $49,400.

Sample Schools

Albuquerque

Albuquerque Academy

Independent · 6–12 · $20,800-$22,400/yr

Sandia Preparatory School

Independent · 6–12 · $18,400/yr

St. Pius X High School (Albuquerque)

Catholic · 9–12 · $10,800/yr

Bosque School

Independent · 6–12 · $19,800-$21,400/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 Albuquerque breakdown → Full Columbia breakdown →

New Mexico 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.