Is private school cheaper in Burlington or Columbia?

Columbia has lower average private school tuition at $8,300/year vs $18,200/year in Burlington. That's $9,900/year less, or $128,700 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Columbia is $9,900/year less than Burlington. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $128,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $11,000/year in Burlington, $5,900/year in Columbia.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Burlington averages $18,200/year ($5,850 above average). Columbia averages $8,300/year ($4,050 below average).

Private School Cost: Burlington vs Columbia

Columbia averages $9,900/year less for private school (119% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $128,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Columbia is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,300/year vs $18,200/year in Burlington. Religious schools run $5,900/year on the low end.

Burlington

$18,200

avg tuition/year

$5,850 above national avg

Columbia

$8,300

avg tuition/year

$4,050 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Burlington	Columbia	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,200/yr	$8,300/yr	+$9,900
Religious Schools	$11,000/yr	$5,900/yr	+$5,100
Independent/Prep	$39,800/yr	$19,500/yr	+$20,300
Elementary (K-5)	$15,500/yr	$7,100/yr	+$8,400
Middle School (6-8)	$18,200/yr	$8,300/yr	+$9,900
High School (9-12)	$21,800/yr	$10,000/yr	+$11,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Burlington

$236,600

Columbia

$107,900

Choosing Columbia saves $128,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $257,400.

Sample Schools

Burlington

Rice Memorial High School (Burlington VT)

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,200/yr

Champlain Valley 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 Burlington breakdown → Full Columbia breakdown →

Vermont 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.