Is private school cheaper in Boise or Columbia?

Boise has lower average private school tuition at $8,000/year vs $8,300/year in Columbia. That's $300/year less, or $3,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Boise is $300/year less than Columbia. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $3,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,500/year in Boise, $5,900/year in Columbia.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Boise averages $8,000/year ($4,350 below average). Columbia averages $8,300/year ($4,050 below average).

Private School Cost: Boise vs Columbia

Boise averages $300/year less for private school (4% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $3,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Boise is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,000/year vs $8,300/year in Columbia. Religious schools run $5,500/year on the low end.

Boise

$8,000

avg tuition/year

$4,350 below national avg

Lower cost

Columbia

$8,300

avg tuition/year

$4,050 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Boise	Columbia	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$8,000/yr	$8,300/yr	-$300
Religious Schools	$5,500/yr	$5,900/yr	-$400
Independent/Prep	$15,500/yr	$19,500/yr	-$4,000
Elementary (K-5)	$6,800/yr	$7,100/yr	-$300
Middle School (6-8)	$8,000/yr	$8,300/yr	-$300
High School (9-12)	$9,600/yr	$10,000/yr	-$400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Boise

$104,000

Columbia

$107,900

Choosing Boise saves $3,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $7,800.

Sample Schools

Boise

The Ambrose School (Boise)

Christian Classical · PK–12 · $12,200-$14,800/yr

Boise Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/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 Boise breakdown → Full Columbia breakdown →

Idaho 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.