Is private school cheaper in Columbia or New Orleans?

Columbia has lower average private school tuition at $8,300/year vs $11,800/year in New Orleans. That's $3,500/year less, or $45,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Columbia is $3,500/year less than New Orleans. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $45,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,900/year in Columbia, $7,600/year in New Orleans.

How do Columbia and New Orleans 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). New Orleans averages $11,800/year ($550 below average).

Private School Cost: Columbia vs New Orleans

Columbia averages $3,500/year less for private school (42% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $45,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Columbia is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,300/year vs $11,800/year in New Orleans. Religious schools run $5,900/year on the low end.

Columbia

$8,300

avg tuition/year

$4,050 below national avg

Lower cost

New Orleans

$11,800

avg tuition/year

$550 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Columbia	New Orleans	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$8,300/yr	$11,800/yr	-$3,500
Religious Schools	$5,900/yr	$7,600/yr	-$1,700
Independent/Prep	$19,500/yr	$22,000/yr	-$2,500
Elementary (K-5)	$7,100/yr	$9,600/yr	-$2,500
Middle School (6-8)	$8,300/yr	$11,800/yr	-$3,500
High School (9-12)	$10,000/yr	$14,600/yr	-$4,600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Columbia

$107,900

New Orleans

$153,400

Choosing Columbia saves $45,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $91,000.

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

New Orleans

Tulane-affiliated University Schools

Independent · PK–12 · $21,400-$23,800/yr

Jesuit High School New Orleans

Catholic · 9–12 · $15,400/yr

Ursuline Academy (New Orleans)

Catholic · 6–12 · $13,200/yr

Brother Martin High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,800/yr

Full Columbia breakdown → Full New Orleans breakdown →

Missouri private school costs Louisiana 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.