Is private school cheaper in Columbia or Fort Wayne?

Fort Wayne has lower average private school tuition at $7,900/year vs $8,300/year in Columbia. That's $400/year less, or $5,200 over a K-12 career.

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

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

How do Columbia and Fort Wayne 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). Fort Wayne averages $7,900/year ($4,450 below average).

Private School Cost: Columbia vs Fort Wayne

Fort Wayne averages $400/year less for private school (5% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $5,200 per child.

Bottom Line

Fort Wayne is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,900/year vs $8,300/year in Columbia. Religious schools run $5,800/year on the low end.

Columbia

$8,300

avg tuition/year

$4,050 below national avg

Fort Wayne

$7,900

avg tuition/year

$4,450 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Columbia	Fort Wayne	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$8,300/yr	$7,900/yr	+$400
Religious Schools	$5,900/yr	$5,800/yr	+$100
Independent/Prep	$19,500/yr	$16,500/yr	+$3,000
Elementary (K-5)	$7,100/yr	$6,700/yr	+$400
Middle School (6-8)	$8,300/yr	$7,900/yr	+$400
High School (9-12)	$10,000/yr	$9,500/yr	+$500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Columbia

$107,900

Fort Wayne

$102,700

Choosing Fort Wayne saves $5,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $10,400.

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

Fort Wayne

Bishop Luers High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $9,800/yr

Canterbury School (Fort Wayne)

Independent · PK–12 · $20,400/yr

Full Columbia breakdown → Full Fort Wayne 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.