Is private school cheaper in Columbia or Springfield?

Columbia has lower average private school tuition at $8,300/year vs $11,100/year in Springfield. That's $2,800/year less, or $36,400 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Columbia is $2,800/year less than Springfield. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $36,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,900/year in Columbia, $7,000/year in Springfield.

How do Columbia and Springfield 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). Springfield averages $11,100/year ($1,250 below average).

Private School Cost: Columbia vs Springfield

Columbia averages $2,800/year less for private school (34% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $36,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Columbia is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,300/year vs $11,100/year in Springfield. Religious schools run $5,900/year on the low end.

Columbia

$8,300

avg tuition/year

$4,050 below national avg

Lower cost

Springfield

$11,100

avg tuition/year

$1,250 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Columbia	Springfield	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$8,300/yr	$11,100/yr	-$2,800
Religious Schools	$5,900/yr	$7,000/yr	-$1,100
Independent/Prep	$19,500/yr	$25,700/yr	-$6,200
Elementary (K-5)	$7,100/yr	$9,400/yr	-$2,300
Middle School (6-8)	$8,300/yr	$11,100/yr	-$2,800
High School (9-12)	$10,000/yr	$13,300/yr	-$3,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Columbia

$107,900

Springfield

$144,300

Choosing Columbia saves $36,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $72,800.

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

Springfield

Sacred Heart-Griffin High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $9,800/yr

Springfield Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $8,800-$10,600/yr

Full Columbia breakdown → Full Springfield breakdown →

Missouri private school costs Illinois 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.