Private School Cost: Columbia vs Sterling Heights
Columbia averages $1,000/year less for private school (12% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $13,000 per child.
Bottom Line
Columbia is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,300/year vs $9,300/year in Sterling Heights. Religious schools run $5,900/year on the low end.
Columbia
MO
$8,300
avg tuition/year
Sterling Heights
MI
$9,300
avg tuition/year
Tuition by School Type & Grade
| Category | Columbia | Sterling Heights | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Schools (Average) | $8,300/yr | $9,300/yr | -$1,000 |
| Religious Schools | $5,900/yr | $6,400/yr | -$500 |
| Independent/Prep | $19,500/yr | $19,800/yr | -$300 |
| Elementary (K-5) | $7,100/yr | $7,900/yr | -$800 |
| Middle School (6-8) | $8,300/yr | $9,300/yr | -$1,000 |
| High School (9-12) | $10,000/yr | $11,200/yr | -$1,200 |
K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)
Columbia
$107,900
Sterling Heights
$120,900
Choosing Columbia saves $13,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $26,000.
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
Sterling Heights
De La Salle Collegiate High School
Catholic · 9–12 · $11,800/yr
Utica Community Christian Schools
Christian · K–12 · $9,200-$11,400/yr
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.