Is private school cheaper in Columbia or Minneapolis?

Columbia has lower average private school tuition at $8,300/year vs $15,000/year in Minneapolis. That's $6,700/year less, or $87,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Columbia is $6,700/year less than Minneapolis. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $87,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,900/year in Columbia, $9,200/year in Minneapolis.

How do Columbia and Minneapolis 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). Minneapolis averages $15,000/year ($2,650 above average).

Private School Cost: Columbia vs Minneapolis

Columbia averages $6,700/year less for private school (81% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $87,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Columbia is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,300/year vs $15,000/year in Minneapolis. Religious schools run $5,900/year on the low end.

Columbia

$8,300

avg tuition/year

$4,050 below national avg

Lower cost

Minneapolis

$15,000

avg tuition/year

$2,650 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Columbia	Minneapolis	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$8,300/yr	$15,000/yr	-$6,700
Religious Schools	$5,900/yr	$9,200/yr	-$3,300
Independent/Prep	$19,500/yr	$27,500/yr	-$8,000
Elementary (K-5)	$7,100/yr	$12,200/yr	-$5,100
Middle School (6-8)	$8,300/yr	$15,000/yr	-$6,700
High School (9-12)	$10,000/yr	$18,500/yr	-$8,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Columbia

$107,900

Minneapolis

$195,000

Choosing Columbia saves $87,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $174,200.

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

Minneapolis

Blake School

Independent · PK–12 · $34,800-$37,200/yr

Breck School

Independent · PK–12 · $28,400/yr

Minnehaha Academy

Christian · PK–12 · $16,200-$17,800/yr

De La Salle High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $15,800/yr

Full Columbia breakdown → Full Minneapolis breakdown →

Missouri private school costs Minnesota private school costs

Related Comparisons

Minneapolis vs Columbus →

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.