Is private school cheaper in Columbia or Little Rock?

Little Rock has lower average private school tuition at $6,600/year vs $8,300/year in Columbia. That's $1,700/year less, or $22,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Little Rock is $1,700/year less than Columbia. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $22,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,900/year in Columbia, $5,000/year in Little Rock.

How do Columbia and Little Rock 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). Little Rock averages $6,600/year ($5,750 below average).

Private School Cost: Columbia vs Little Rock

Little Rock averages $1,700/year less for private school (26% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $22,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Little Rock is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,600/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

Little Rock

$6,600

avg tuition/year

$5,750 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Columbia	Little Rock	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$8,300/yr	$6,600/yr	+$1,700
Religious Schools	$5,900/yr	$5,000/yr	+$900
Independent/Prep	$19,500/yr	$13,100/yr	+$6,400
Elementary (K-5)	$7,100/yr	$5,600/yr	+$1,500
Middle School (6-8)	$8,300/yr	$6,600/yr	+$1,700
High School (9-12)	$10,000/yr	$7,900/yr	+$2,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Columbia

$107,900

Little Rock

$85,800

Choosing Little Rock saves $22,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $44,200.

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

Little Rock

Pulaski Academy (Little Rock)

Independent · PK–12 · $11,800/yr

Mount St. Mary Academy

Catholic · 9–12 · $11,200/yr

Full Columbia breakdown → Full Little Rock breakdown →

Missouri private school costs Arkansas 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.