Is private school cheaper in Columbia or Shreveport?

Shreveport has lower average private school tuition at $6,000/year vs $8,300/year in Columbia. That's $2,300/year less, or $29,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Shreveport is $2,300/year less than Columbia. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $29,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,900/year in Columbia, $4,500/year in Shreveport.

How do Columbia and Shreveport 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). Shreveport averages $6,000/year ($6,350 below average).

Private School Cost: Columbia vs Shreveport

Shreveport averages $2,300/year less for private school (38% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $29,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Shreveport is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,000/year vs $8,300/year in Columbia. Religious schools run $4,500/year on the low end.

Columbia

$8,300

avg tuition/year

$4,050 below national avg

Shreveport

$6,000

avg tuition/year

$6,350 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Columbia	Shreveport	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$8,300/yr	$6,000/yr	+$2,300
Religious Schools	$5,900/yr	$4,500/yr	+$1,400
Independent/Prep	$19,500/yr	$14,500/yr	+$5,000
Elementary (K-5)	$7,100/yr	$5,100/yr	+$2,000
Middle School (6-8)	$8,300/yr	$6,000/yr	+$2,300
High School (9-12)	$10,000/yr	$7,200/yr	+$2,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Columbia

$107,900

Shreveport

$78,000

Choosing Shreveport saves $29,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $59,800.

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

Shreveport

Loyola College Prep (Shreveport)

Catholic · 9–12 · $9,800/yr

Shreve Island School

Independent · PK–6 · $12,400/yr

Full Columbia breakdown → Full Shreveport breakdown →

Missouri private school costs Louisiana 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.