Is private school cheaper in Columbia or Elk Grove?

Columbia has lower average private school tuition at $8,300/year vs $16,500/year in Elk Grove. That's $8,200/year less, or $106,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Columbia is $8,200/year less than Elk Grove. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $106,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,900/year in Columbia, $10,700/year in Elk Grove.

How do Columbia and Elk Grove 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). Elk Grove averages $16,500/year ($4,150 above average).

Private School Cost: Columbia vs Elk Grove

Columbia averages $8,200/year less for private school (99% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $106,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Columbia is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,300/year vs $16,500/year in Elk Grove. Religious schools run $5,900/year on the low end.

Columbia

$8,300

avg tuition/year

$4,050 below national avg

Lower cost

Elk Grove

$16,500

avg tuition/year

$4,150 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Columbia	Elk Grove	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$8,300/yr	$16,500/yr	-$8,200
Religious Schools	$5,900/yr	$10,700/yr	-$4,800
Independent/Prep	$19,500/yr	$32,000/yr	-$12,500
Elementary (K-5)	$7,100/yr	$14,000/yr	-$6,900
Middle School (6-8)	$8,300/yr	$16,500/yr	-$8,200
High School (9-12)	$10,000/yr	$19,800/yr	-$9,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Columbia

$107,900

Elk Grove

$214,500

Choosing Columbia saves $106,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $213,200.

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

Elk Grove

Laguna Creek Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

Father Keith B. Kenny School

Catholic · K–8 · $8,400-$10,200/yr

Full Columbia breakdown → Full Elk Grove 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.