Is private school cheaper in Baton Rouge or Columbia?

Baton Rouge has lower average private school tuition at $6,500/year vs $8,300/year in Columbia. That's $1,800/year less, or $23,400 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Baton Rouge is $1,800/year less than Columbia. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $23,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $4,800/year in Baton Rouge, $5,900/year in Columbia.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Baton Rouge averages $6,500/year ($5,850 below average). Columbia averages $8,300/year ($4,050 below average).

Private School Cost: Baton Rouge vs Columbia

Baton Rouge averages $1,800/year less for private school (28% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $23,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Baton Rouge is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,500/year vs $8,300/year in Columbia. Religious schools run $4,800/year on the low end.

Baton Rouge

$6,500

avg tuition/year

$5,850 below national avg

Lower cost

Columbia

$8,300

avg tuition/year

$4,050 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Baton Rouge	Columbia	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$6,500/yr	$8,300/yr	-$1,800
Religious Schools	$4,800/yr	$5,900/yr	-$1,100
Independent/Prep	$15,700/yr	$19,500/yr	-$3,800
Elementary (K-5)	$5,500/yr	$7,100/yr	-$1,600
Middle School (6-8)	$6,500/yr	$8,300/yr	-$1,800
High School (9-12)	$7,800/yr	$10,000/yr	-$2,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Baton Rouge

$84,500

Columbia

$107,900

Choosing Baton Rouge saves $23,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $46,800.

Sample Schools

Baton Rouge

Catholic High School (Baton Rouge)

Catholic · 9–12 · $11,200/yr

Episcopal High School (Baton Rouge)

Independent (Episcopal) · 8–12 · $22,400/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 Baton Rouge breakdown → Full Columbia breakdown →

Louisiana 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.