Is private school cheaper in Boston or Columbia?

Columbia has lower average private school tuition at $8,300/year vs $36,800/year in Boston. That's $28,500/year less, or $370,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Columbia is $28,500/year less than Boston. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $370,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $18,500/year in Boston, $5,900/year in Columbia.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Boston averages $36,800/year ($24,450 above average). Columbia averages $8,300/year ($4,050 below average).

Private School Cost: Boston vs Columbia

Columbia averages $28,500/year less for private school (343% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $370,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Columbia is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,300/year vs $36,800/year in Boston. Religious schools run $5,900/year on the low end.

Boston

$36,800

avg tuition/year

$24,450 above national avg

Columbia

$8,300

avg tuition/year

$4,050 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Boston	Columbia	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$36,800/yr	$8,300/yr	+$28,500
Religious Schools	$18,500/yr	$5,900/yr	+$12,600
Independent/Prep	$56,000/yr	$19,500/yr	+$36,500
Elementary (K-5)	$30,000/yr	$7,100/yr	+$22,900
Middle School (6-8)	$36,800/yr	$8,300/yr	+$28,500
High School (9-12)	$46,000/yr	$10,000/yr	+$36,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Boston

$478,400

Columbia

$107,900

Choosing Columbia saves $370,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $741,000.

Sample Schools

Boston

Boston Latin School (Exam)

Exam School (Public) · 7–12

Roxbury Latin School

Independent (need-based) · 7–12

Belmont Hill School

Independent · 7–12 · $59,800/yr

Boston College High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $23,100/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 Boston breakdown → Full Columbia breakdown →

Massachusetts private school costs Missouri private school costs

Related Comparisons

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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.