Private School Cost: Columbia vs Philadelphia
Columbia averages $11,900/year less for private school (143% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $154,700 per child.
Bottom Line
Columbia is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,300/year vs $20,200/year in Philadelphia. Religious schools run $5,900/year on the low end.
Columbia
MO
$8,300
avg tuition/year
Philadelphia
PA
$20,200
avg tuition/year
Tuition by School Type & Grade
| Category | Columbia | Philadelphia | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Schools (Average) | $8,300/yr | $20,200/yr | -$11,900 |
| Religious Schools | $5,900/yr | $11,400/yr | -$5,500 |
| Independent/Prep | $19,500/yr | $36,000/yr | -$16,500 |
| Elementary (K-5) | $7,100/yr | $16,500/yr | -$9,400 |
| Middle School (6-8) | $8,300/yr | $20,200/yr | -$11,900 |
| High School (9-12) | $10,000/yr | $25,000/yr | -$15,000 |
K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)
Columbia
$107,900
Philadelphia
$262,600
Choosing Columbia saves $154,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $309,400.
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
Philadelphia
Episcopal Academy
Independent · PK–12 · $40,800-$43,200/yr
The Haverford School
Independent · PK–12 · $41,200/yr
Germantown Friends School
Independent (Quaker) · K–12 · $38,600/yr
La Salle College High School
Catholic · 9–12 · $19,200/yr
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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.