Is private school cheaper in Columbia or Des Moines?

Des Moines has lower average private school tuition at $6,900/year vs $8,300/year in Columbia. That's $1,400/year less, or $18,200 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Des Moines is $1,400/year less than Columbia. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $18,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,900/year in Columbia, $4,800/year in Des Moines.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Columbia averages $8,300/year ($4,050 below average). Des Moines averages $6,900/year ($5,450 below average).

Private School Cost: Columbia vs Des Moines

Des Moines averages $1,400/year less for private school (20% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $18,200 per child.

Bottom Line

Des Moines is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,900/year vs $8,300/year in Columbia. Religious schools run $4,800/year on the low end.

Columbia

$8,300

avg tuition/year

$4,050 below national avg

Des Moines

$6,900

avg tuition/year

$5,450 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Columbia	Des Moines	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$8,300/yr	$6,900/yr	+$1,400
Religious Schools	$5,900/yr	$4,800/yr	+$1,100
Independent/Prep	$19,500/yr	$14,400/yr	+$5,100
Elementary (K-5)	$7,100/yr	$5,900/yr	+$1,200
Middle School (6-8)	$8,300/yr	$6,900/yr	+$1,400
High School (9-12)	$10,000/yr	$8,300/yr	+$1,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Columbia

$107,900

Des Moines

$89,700

Choosing Des Moines saves $18,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $36,400.

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

Des Moines

Dowling Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $10,400/yr

Des Moines Christian School

Christian · PK–12 · $9,600-$12,000/yr

Full Columbia breakdown → Full Des Moines breakdown →

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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.