Is private school cheaper in Columbia or St. Louis?

Columbia has lower average private school tuition at $8,300/year vs $13,000/year in St. Louis. That's $4,700/year less, or $61,100 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Columbia over St. Louis?

Average tuition in Columbia is $4,700/year less than St. Louis. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $61,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,900/year in Columbia, $8,400/year in St. Louis.

How do Columbia and St. Louis 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). St. Louis averages $13,000/year ($650 above average).

Private School Cost: Columbia vs St. Louis

Columbia averages $4,700/year less for private school (57% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $61,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Columbia is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,300/year vs $13,000/year in St. Louis. Religious schools run $5,900/year on the low end.

Columbia

$8,300

avg tuition/year

$4,050 below national avg

Lower cost

St. Louis

$13,000

avg tuition/year

$650 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Columbia	St. Louis	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$8,300/yr	$13,000/yr	-$4,700
Religious Schools	$5,900/yr	$8,400/yr	-$2,500
Independent/Prep	$19,500/yr	$24,500/yr	-$5,000
Elementary (K-5)	$7,100/yr	$10,600/yr	-$3,500
Middle School (6-8)	$8,300/yr	$13,000/yr	-$4,700
High School (9-12)	$10,000/yr	$16,000/yr	-$6,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Columbia

$107,900

St. Louis

$169,000

Choosing Columbia saves $61,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $122,200.

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

St. Louis

John Burroughs School

Independent · 7–12 · $28,400-$30,800/yr

MICDS (Mary Institute and Country Day School)

Independent · JK–12 · $30,200-$32,800/yr

Chaminade College Preparatory

Catholic · 6–12 · $16,800/yr

St. Louis University High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,400/yr

Full Columbia breakdown → Full St. Louis breakdown →

Missouri 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.