Is private school cheaper in Columbia or Jersey City?

Columbia has lower average private school tuition at $8,300/year vs $20,900/year in Jersey City. That's $12,600/year less, or $163,800 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Columbia is $12,600/year less than Jersey City. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $163,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,900/year in Columbia, $13,500/year in Jersey City.

How do Columbia and Jersey City 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). Jersey City averages $20,900/year ($8,550 above average).

Private School Cost: Columbia vs Jersey City

Columbia averages $12,600/year less for private school (152% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $163,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Columbia is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,300/year vs $20,900/year in Jersey City. Religious schools run $5,900/year on the low end.

Columbia

$8,300

avg tuition/year

$4,050 below national avg

Lower cost

Jersey City

$20,900

avg tuition/year

$8,550 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Columbia	Jersey City	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$8,300/yr	$20,900/yr	-$12,600
Religious Schools	$5,900/yr	$13,500/yr	-$7,600
Independent/Prep	$19,500/yr	$44,800/yr	-$25,300
Elementary (K-5)	$7,100/yr	$17,800/yr	-$10,700
Middle School (6-8)	$8,300/yr	$20,900/yr	-$12,600
High School (9-12)	$10,000/yr	$25,100/yr	-$15,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Columbia

$107,900

Jersey City

$271,700

Choosing Columbia saves $163,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $327,600.

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

Jersey City

Hudson Catholic Regional High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Saint Aloysius Academy (Jersey City)

Catholic · K–8 · $10,800-$12,800/yr

Full Columbia breakdown → Full Jersey City breakdown →

Missouri private school costs New Jersey private school costs

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.