Is private school cheaper in Atlanta or Columbia?

Columbia has lower average private school tuition at $8,300/year vs $15,200/year in Atlanta. That's $6,900/year less, or $89,700 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Columbia is $6,900/year less than Atlanta. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $89,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,400/year in Atlanta, $5,900/year in Columbia.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Atlanta averages $15,200/year ($2,850 above average). Columbia averages $8,300/year ($4,050 below average).

Private School Cost: Atlanta vs Columbia

Columbia averages $6,900/year less for private school (83% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $89,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Columbia is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,300/year vs $15,200/year in Atlanta. Religious schools run $5,900/year on the low end.

Atlanta

$15,200

avg tuition/year

$2,850 above national avg

Columbia

$8,300

avg tuition/year

$4,050 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Atlanta	Columbia	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$15,200/yr	$8,300/yr	+$6,900
Religious Schools	$9,400/yr	$5,900/yr	+$3,500
Independent/Prep	$28,500/yr	$19,500/yr	+$9,000
Elementary (K-5)	$12,500/yr	$7,100/yr	+$5,400
Middle School (6-8)	$15,200/yr	$8,300/yr	+$6,900
High School (9-12)	$18,800/yr	$10,000/yr	+$8,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Atlanta

$197,600

Columbia

$107,900

Choosing Columbia saves $89,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $179,400.

Sample Schools

Atlanta

The Westminster Schools

Independent · 1–12 · $35,800-$38,400/yr

Pace Academy

Independent · K–12 · $34,200/yr

Lovett School

Independent · K–12 · $33,600/yr

Marist School Atlanta

Catholic · 7–12 · $19,400/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 Atlanta breakdown → Full Columbia breakdown →

Georgia private school costs Missouri private school costs

Related Comparisons

Atlanta vs Charlotte → Nashville vs Atlanta → Washington DC vs Atlanta →

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.