Is private school cheaper in Alexandria or Columbia?

Columbia has lower average private school tuition at $8,300/year vs $18,800/year in Alexandria. That's $10,500/year less, or $136,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Columbia is $10,500/year less than Alexandria. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $136,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $12,900/year in Alexandria, $5,900/year in Columbia.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Alexandria averages $18,800/year ($6,450 above average). Columbia averages $8,300/year ($4,050 below average).

Private School Cost: Alexandria vs Columbia

Columbia averages $10,500/year less for private school (127% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $136,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Columbia is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,300/year vs $18,800/year in Alexandria. Religious schools run $5,900/year on the low end.

Alexandria

$18,800

avg tuition/year

$6,450 above national avg

Columbia

$8,300

avg tuition/year

$4,050 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Alexandria	Columbia	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,800/yr	$8,300/yr	+$10,500
Religious Schools	$12,900/yr	$5,900/yr	+$7,000
Independent/Prep	$37,600/yr	$19,500/yr	+$18,100
Elementary (K-5)	$16,000/yr	$7,100/yr	+$8,900
Middle School (6-8)	$18,800/yr	$8,300/yr	+$10,500
High School (9-12)	$22,600/yr	$10,000/yr	+$12,600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Alexandria

$244,400

Columbia

$107,900

Choosing Columbia saves $136,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $273,000.

Sample Schools

Alexandria

Episcopal High School (Alexandria VA)

Independent (Episcopal) · 9–12 · $65,800/yr

Bishop Ireton High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,400/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 Alexandria breakdown → Full Columbia breakdown →

Virginia 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.