Private School Cost: Columbia vs Denver
Columbia averages $8,100/year less for private school (98% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $105,300 per child.
Bottom Line
Columbia is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,300/year vs $16,400/year in Denver. Religious schools run $5,900/year on the low end.
Columbia
MO
$8,300
avg tuition/year
Denver
CO
$16,400
avg tuition/year
Tuition by School Type & Grade
| Category | Columbia | Denver | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Schools (Average) | $8,300/yr | $16,400/yr | -$8,100 |
| Religious Schools | $5,900/yr | $9,800/yr | -$3,900 |
| Independent/Prep | $19,500/yr | $28,500/yr | -$9,000 |
| Elementary (K-5) | $7,100/yr | $13,500/yr | -$6,400 |
| Middle School (6-8) | $8,300/yr | $16,400/yr | -$8,100 |
| High School (9-12) | $10,000/yr | $20,200/yr | -$10,200 |
K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)
Columbia
$107,900
Denver
$213,200
Choosing Columbia saves $105,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $210,600.
Sample Schools
Columbia
Columbia Independent School
Independent · PK–8 · $12,800/yr
Calvary Lutheran School (Columbia MO)
Lutheran · PK–8 · $8,400-$10,400/yr
Denver
Kent Denver School
Independent · 6–12 · $35,200-$37,800/yr
Colorado Academy
Independent · PK–12 · $33,800-$36,400/yr
Regis Jesuit High School
Catholic · 9–12 · $18,800/yr
Mullen High School
Catholic · 9–12 · $17,400/yr
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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.