Is private school cheaper in Columbia or Seattle?

Columbia has lower average private school tuition at $8,300/year vs $24,500/year in Seattle. That's $16,200/year less, or $210,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Columbia is $16,200/year less than Seattle. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $210,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,900/year in Columbia, $13,200/year in Seattle.

How do Columbia and Seattle 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). Seattle averages $24,500/year ($12,150 above average).

Private School Cost: Columbia vs Seattle

Columbia averages $16,200/year less for private school (195% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $210,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Columbia is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,300/year vs $24,500/year in Seattle. Religious schools run $5,900/year on the low end.

Columbia

$8,300

avg tuition/year

$4,050 below national avg

Lower cost

Seattle

$24,500

avg tuition/year

$12,150 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Columbia	Seattle	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$8,300/yr	$24,500/yr	-$16,200
Religious Schools	$5,900/yr	$13,200/yr	-$7,300
Independent/Prep	$19,500/yr	$38,000/yr	-$18,500
Elementary (K-5)	$7,100/yr	$20,000/yr	-$12,900
Middle School (6-8)	$8,300/yr	$24,500/yr	-$16,200
High School (9-12)	$10,000/yr	$30,500/yr	-$20,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Columbia

$107,900

Seattle

$318,500

Choosing Columbia saves $210,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $421,200.

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

Seattle

University Prep

Independent · 6–12 · $42,800/yr

Northwest School

Independent · 6–12 · $39,400/yr

Seattle Prep

Catholic · 9–12 · $21,200/yr

O'Dea High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,800/yr

Full Columbia breakdown → Full Seattle breakdown →

Missouri private school costs Washington private school costs

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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.