Is private school cheaper in Columbia or South Bend?

South Bend has lower average private school tuition at $7,400/year vs $8,300/year in Columbia. That's $900/year less, or $11,700 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in South Bend is $900/year less than Columbia. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $11,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,900/year in Columbia, $5,500/year in South Bend.

How do Columbia and South Bend 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). South Bend averages $7,400/year ($4,950 below average).

Private School Cost: Columbia vs South Bend

South Bend averages $900/year less for private school (12% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $11,700 per child.

Bottom Line

South Bend is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,400/year vs $8,300/year in Columbia. Religious schools run $5,500/year on the low end.

Columbia

$8,300

avg tuition/year

$4,050 below national avg

South Bend

$7,400

avg tuition/year

$4,950 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Columbia	South Bend	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$8,300/yr	$7,400/yr	+$900
Religious Schools	$5,900/yr	$5,500/yr	+$400
Independent/Prep	$19,500/yr	$15,400/yr	+$4,100
Elementary (K-5)	$7,100/yr	$6,300/yr	+$800
Middle School (6-8)	$8,300/yr	$7,400/yr	+$900
High School (9-12)	$10,000/yr	$8,900/yr	+$1,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Columbia

$107,900

South Bend

$96,200

Choosing South Bend saves $11,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $23,400.

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

South Bend

Saint Joseph High School (South Bend)

Catholic · 9–12 · $9,600/yr

South Bend STEM Academy

Independent · K–12 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

Full Columbia breakdown → Full South Bend breakdown →

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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.