Is private school cheaper in Columbia or Pittsburgh?

Columbia has lower average private school tuition at $8,300/year vs $12,200/year in Pittsburgh. That's $3,900/year less, or $50,700 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Columbia is $3,900/year less than Pittsburgh. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $50,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,900/year in Columbia, $7,800/year in Pittsburgh.

How do Columbia and Pittsburgh 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). Pittsburgh averages $12,200/year ($150 below average).

Private School Cost: Columbia vs Pittsburgh

Columbia averages $3,900/year less for private school (47% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $50,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Columbia is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,300/year vs $12,200/year in Pittsburgh. Religious schools run $5,900/year on the low end.

Columbia

$8,300

avg tuition/year

$4,050 below national avg

Lower cost

Pittsburgh

$12,200

avg tuition/year

$150 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Columbia	Pittsburgh	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$8,300/yr	$12,200/yr	-$3,900
Religious Schools	$5,900/yr	$7,800/yr	-$1,900
Independent/Prep	$19,500/yr	$22,800/yr	-$3,300
Elementary (K-5)	$7,100/yr	$10,000/yr	-$2,900
Middle School (6-8)	$8,300/yr	$12,200/yr	-$3,900
High School (9-12)	$10,000/yr	$15,000/yr	-$5,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Columbia

$107,900

Pittsburgh

$158,600

Choosing Columbia saves $50,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $101,400.

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

Pittsburgh

Shady Side Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $27,800-$29,400/yr

Winchester Thurston School

Independent · PK–12 · $25,200-$27,600/yr

Central Catholic High School (Pittsburgh)

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,400/yr

North Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $11,800/yr

Full Columbia breakdown → Full Pittsburgh breakdown →

Missouri private school costs Pennsylvania 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.