Private School Cost: Columbia vs San Diego
Columbia averages $12,900/year less for private school (155% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $167,700 per child.
Bottom Line
Columbia is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,300/year vs $21,200/year in San Diego. Religious schools run $5,900/year on the low end.
Columbia
MO
$8,300
avg tuition/year
San Diego
CA
$21,200
avg tuition/year
Tuition by School Type & Grade
| Category | Columbia | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Schools (Average) | $8,300/yr | $21,200/yr | -$12,900 |
| Religious Schools | $5,900/yr | $11,500/yr | -$5,600 |
| Independent/Prep | $19,500/yr | $36,500/yr | -$17,000 |
| Elementary (K-5) | $7,100/yr | $17,500/yr | -$10,400 |
| Middle School (6-8) | $8,300/yr | $21,200/yr | -$12,900 |
| High School (9-12) | $10,000/yr | $26,000/yr | -$16,000 |
K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)
Columbia
$107,900
San Diego
$275,600
Choosing Columbia saves $167,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $335,400.
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
San Diego
Bishop's School
Independent · 7–12 · $43,200/yr
La Jolla Country Day School
Independent · PK–12 · $38,800-$41,200/yr
Francis Parker School
Independent · K–12 · $36,400-$38,800/yr
Cathedral Catholic High School
Catholic · 9–12 · $19,800/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.