Private School Cost: Columbia vs Newport News
Columbia averages $5,700/year less for private school (69% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $74,100 per child.
Bottom Line
Columbia is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,300/year vs $14,000/year in Newport News. Religious schools run $5,900/year on the low end.
Columbia
MO
$8,300
avg tuition/year
Newport News
VA
$14,000
avg tuition/year
Tuition by School Type & Grade
| Category | Columbia | Newport News | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Schools (Average) | $8,300/yr | $14,000/yr | -$5,700 |
| Religious Schools | $5,900/yr | $9,600/yr | -$3,700 |
| Independent/Prep | $19,500/yr | $27,900/yr | -$8,400 |
| Elementary (K-5) | $7,100/yr | $11,900/yr | -$4,800 |
| Middle School (6-8) | $8,300/yr | $14,000/yr | -$5,700 |
| High School (9-12) | $10,000/yr | $16,800/yr | -$6,800 |
K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)
Columbia
$107,900
Newport News
$182,000
Choosing Columbia saves $74,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $148,200.
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
Newport News
Denbigh Baptist Christian School
Christian · K–12 · $8,800-$11,200/yr
Peninsula Catholic High School
Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/yr
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.