Is private school cheaper in Cedar Rapids or Columbia?

Cedar Rapids has lower average private school tuition at $6,800/year vs $8,300/year in Columbia. That's $1,500/year less, or $19,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Cedar Rapids is $1,500/year less than Columbia. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $19,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $4,800/year in Cedar Rapids, $5,900/year in Columbia.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Cedar Rapids averages $6,800/year ($5,550 below average). Columbia averages $8,300/year ($4,050 below average).

Private School Cost: Cedar Rapids vs Columbia

Cedar Rapids averages $1,500/year less for private school (22% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $19,500 per child.

Bottom Line

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

Cedar Rapids

$6,800

avg tuition/year

$5,550 below national avg

Lower cost

Columbia

$8,300

avg tuition/year

$4,050 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Cedar Rapids	Columbia	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$6,800/yr	$8,300/yr	-$1,500
Religious Schools	$4,800/yr	$5,900/yr	-$1,100
Independent/Prep	$14,300/yr	$19,500/yr	-$5,200
Elementary (K-5)	$5,800/yr	$7,100/yr	-$1,300
Middle School (6-8)	$6,800/yr	$8,300/yr	-$1,500
High School (9-12)	$8,200/yr	$10,000/yr	-$1,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Cedar Rapids

$88,400

Columbia

$107,900

Choosing Cedar Rapids saves $19,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $39,000.

Sample Schools

Cedar Rapids

Xavier High School (Cedar Rapids)

Catholic · 9–12 · $9,400/yr

Cedar Rapids Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $8,400-$10,400/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 Cedar Rapids breakdown → Full Columbia breakdown →

Iowa 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.