Is private school cheaper in Columbia or Edinburg?

Columbia has lower average private school tuition at $8,300/year vs $9,200/year in Edinburg. That's $900/year less, or $11,700 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Columbia is $900/year less than Edinburg. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $11,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,900/year in Columbia, $6,200/year in Edinburg.

How do Columbia and Edinburg 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). Edinburg averages $9,200/year ($3,150 below average).

Private School Cost: Columbia vs Edinburg

Columbia averages $900/year less for private school (11% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $11,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Columbia is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,300/year vs $9,200/year in Edinburg. Religious schools run $5,900/year on the low end.

Columbia

$8,300

avg tuition/year

$4,050 below national avg

Lower cost

Edinburg

$9,200

avg tuition/year

$3,150 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Columbia	Edinburg	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$8,300/yr	$9,200/yr	-$900
Religious Schools	$5,900/yr	$6,200/yr	-$300
Independent/Prep	$19,500/yr	$19,400/yr	+$100
Elementary (K-5)	$7,100/yr	$7,800/yr	-$700
Middle School (6-8)	$8,300/yr	$9,200/yr	-$900
High School (9-12)	$10,000/yr	$11,000/yr	-$1,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Columbia

$107,900

Edinburg

$119,600

Choosing Columbia saves $11,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $23,400.

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

Edinburg

Edinburg Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $7,600-$9,400/yr

Our Lady of Guadalupe School (Edinburg)

Catholic · K–8 · $6,800-$8,400/yr

Full Columbia breakdown → Full Edinburg 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.