Is private school cheaper in Columbia or San Jose?

Columbia has lower average private school tuition at $8,300/year vs $25,200/year in San Jose. That's $16,900/year less, or $219,700 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Columbia is $16,900/year less than San Jose. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $219,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,900/year in Columbia, $13,800/year in San Jose.

How do Columbia and San Jose 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). San Jose averages $25,200/year ($12,850 above average).

Private School Cost: Columbia vs San Jose

Columbia averages $16,900/year less for private school (204% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $219,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Columbia is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,300/year vs $25,200/year in San Jose. Religious schools run $5,900/year on the low end.

Columbia

$8,300

avg tuition/year

$4,050 below national avg

Lower cost

San Jose

$25,200

avg tuition/year

$12,850 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Columbia	San Jose	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$8,300/yr	$25,200/yr	-$16,900
Religious Schools	$5,900/yr	$13,800/yr	-$7,900
Independent/Prep	$19,500/yr	$40,500/yr	-$21,000
Elementary (K-5)	$7,100/yr	$20,500/yr	-$13,400
Middle School (6-8)	$8,300/yr	$25,200/yr	-$16,900
High School (9-12)	$10,000/yr	$31,200/yr	-$21,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Columbia

$107,900

San Jose

$327,600

Choosing Columbia saves $219,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $439,400.

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 Jose

Harker School

Independent · K–12 · $48,200-$51,600/yr

Bellarmine College Preparatory

Catholic · 9–12 · $22,800/yr

Archbishop Mitty High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $21,400/yr

Presentation High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $20,800/yr

Full Columbia breakdown → Full San Jose breakdown →

Missouri private school costs California private school costs

Related Comparisons

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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.