Is private school cheaper in Columbia or Newark?

Columbia has lower average private school tuition at $8,300/year vs $19,300/year in Newark. That's $11,000/year less, or $143,000 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Columbia is $11,000/year less than Newark. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $143,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,900/year in Columbia, $12,400/year in Newark.

How do Columbia and Newark 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). Newark averages $19,300/year ($6,950 above average).

Private School Cost: Columbia vs Newark

Columbia averages $11,000/year less for private school (133% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $143,000 per child.

Bottom Line

Columbia is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,300/year vs $19,300/year in Newark. Religious schools run $5,900/year on the low end.

Columbia

$8,300

avg tuition/year

$4,050 below national avg

Lower cost

Newark

$19,300

avg tuition/year

$6,950 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Columbia	Newark	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$8,300/yr	$19,300/yr	-$11,000
Religious Schools	$5,900/yr	$12,400/yr	-$6,500
Independent/Prep	$19,500/yr	$41,200/yr	-$21,700
Elementary (K-5)	$7,100/yr	$16,400/yr	-$9,300
Middle School (6-8)	$8,300/yr	$19,300/yr	-$11,000
High School (9-12)	$10,000/yr	$23,200/yr	-$13,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Columbia

$107,900

Newark

$250,900

Choosing Columbia saves $143,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $286,000.

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

Newark

Seton Hall Preparatory School

Catholic · 9–12 · $22,400/yr

Newark Academy

Independent · 6–12 · $38,400/yr

Full Columbia breakdown → Full Newark breakdown →

Missouri private school costs New Jersey 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.