Is private school cheaper in Columbia or Savannah?

Columbia has lower average private school tuition at $8,300/year vs $10,700/year in Savannah. That's $2,400/year less, or $31,200 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Columbia is $2,400/year less than Savannah. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $31,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,900/year in Columbia, $7,400/year in Savannah.

How do Columbia and Savannah 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). Savannah averages $10,700/year ($1,650 below average).

Private School Cost: Columbia vs Savannah

Columbia averages $2,400/year less for private school (29% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $31,200 per child.

Bottom Line

Columbia is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,300/year vs $10,700/year in Savannah. Religious schools run $5,900/year on the low end.

Columbia

$8,300

avg tuition/year

$4,050 below national avg

Lower cost

Savannah

$10,700

avg tuition/year

$1,650 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Columbia	Savannah	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$8,300/yr	$10,700/yr	-$2,400
Religious Schools	$5,900/yr	$7,400/yr	-$1,500
Independent/Prep	$19,500/yr	$21,700/yr	-$2,200
Elementary (K-5)	$7,100/yr	$9,100/yr	-$2,000
Middle School (6-8)	$8,300/yr	$10,700/yr	-$2,400
High School (9-12)	$10,000/yr	$12,800/yr	-$2,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Columbia

$107,900

Savannah

$139,100

Choosing Columbia saves $31,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $62,400.

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

Savannah

Savannah Christian Preparatory School

Christian · PK–12 · $14,800/yr

Benedictine Military School

Catholic · 9–12 · $11,400/yr

Full Columbia breakdown → Full Savannah breakdown →

Missouri private school costs Georgia 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.