Is private school cheaper in Columbia or Lincoln?

Lincoln has lower average private school tuition at $7,200/year vs $8,300/year in Columbia. That's $1,100/year less, or $14,300 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Lincoln is $1,100/year less than Columbia. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $14,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,900/year in Columbia, $5,000/year in Lincoln.

How do Columbia and Lincoln 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). Lincoln averages $7,200/year ($5,150 below average).

Private School Cost: Columbia vs Lincoln

Lincoln averages $1,100/year less for private school (15% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $14,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Lincoln is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,200/year vs $8,300/year in Columbia. Religious schools run $5,000/year on the low end.

Columbia

$8,300

avg tuition/year

$4,050 below national avg

Lincoln

$7,200

avg tuition/year

$5,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Columbia	Lincoln	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$8,300/yr	$7,200/yr	+$1,100
Religious Schools	$5,900/yr	$5,000/yr	+$900
Independent/Prep	$19,500/yr	$15,600/yr	+$3,900
Elementary (K-5)	$7,100/yr	$6,100/yr	+$1,000
Middle School (6-8)	$8,300/yr	$7,200/yr	+$1,100
High School (9-12)	$10,000/yr	$8,600/yr	+$1,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Columbia

$107,900

Lincoln

$93,600

Choosing Lincoln saves $14,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $28,600.

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

Lincoln

Lincoln Christian High School

Christian · K–12 · $9,600-$11,800/yr

Pius X High School (Lincoln)

Catholic · 9–12 · $8,800/yr

Full Columbia breakdown → Full Lincoln breakdown →

Missouri private school costs Nebraska 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.