Is private school cheaper in Columbia or Madison?

Columbia has lower average private school tuition at $8,300/year vs $9,300/year in Madison. That's $1,000/year less, or $13,000 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Columbia is $1,000/year less than Madison. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $13,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,900/year in Columbia, $6,300/year in Madison.

How do Columbia and Madison 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). Madison averages $9,300/year ($3,050 below average).

Private School Cost: Columbia vs Madison

Columbia averages $1,000/year less for private school (12% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $13,000 per child.

Bottom Line

Columbia is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,300/year vs $9,300/year in Madison. Religious schools run $5,900/year on the low end.

Columbia

$8,300

avg tuition/year

$4,050 below national avg

Lower cost

Madison

$9,300

avg tuition/year

$3,050 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Columbia	Madison	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$8,300/yr	$9,300/yr	-$1,000
Religious Schools	$5,900/yr	$6,300/yr	-$400
Independent/Prep	$19,500/yr	$21,100/yr	-$1,600
Elementary (K-5)	$7,100/yr	$7,900/yr	-$800
Middle School (6-8)	$8,300/yr	$9,300/yr	-$1,000
High School (9-12)	$10,000/yr	$11,200/yr	-$1,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Columbia

$107,900

Madison

$120,900

Choosing Columbia saves $13,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $26,000.

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

Madison

Edgewood Campus School

Catholic · PK–8 · $10,400-$12,800/yr

Edgewood High School of the Sacred Heart

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,200/yr

Full Columbia breakdown → Full Madison breakdown →

Missouri private school costs Wisconsin 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.