Is private school cheaper in Baltimore or Columbia?

Columbia has lower average private school tuition at $8,300/year vs $18,500/year in Baltimore. That's $10,200/year less, or $132,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Columbia is $10,200/year less than Baltimore. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $132,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $10,800/year in Baltimore, $5,900/year in Columbia.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Baltimore averages $18,500/year ($6,150 above average). Columbia averages $8,300/year ($4,050 below average).

Private School Cost: Baltimore vs Columbia

Columbia averages $10,200/year less for private school (123% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $132,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Columbia is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,300/year vs $18,500/year in Baltimore. Religious schools run $5,900/year on the low end.

Baltimore

$18,500

avg tuition/year

$6,150 above national avg

Columbia

$8,300

avg tuition/year

$4,050 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Baltimore	Columbia	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,500/yr	$8,300/yr	+$10,200
Religious Schools	$10,800/yr	$5,900/yr	+$4,900
Independent/Prep	$34,000/yr	$19,500/yr	+$14,500
Elementary (K-5)	$15,200/yr	$7,100/yr	+$8,100
Middle School (6-8)	$18,500/yr	$8,300/yr	+$10,200
High School (9-12)	$23,000/yr	$10,000/yr	+$13,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Baltimore

$240,500

Columbia

$107,900

Choosing Columbia saves $132,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $265,200.

Sample Schools

Baltimore

Gilman School

Independent · K–12 · $38,200-$40,800/yr

Roland Park Country School

Independent · K–12 · $36,800/yr

Calvert Hall College High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $19,400/yr

Loyola Blakefield

Catholic · 6–12 · $24,800/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 Baltimore breakdown → Full Columbia breakdown →

Maryland 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.