Is private school cheaper in Columbia or Surprise?

Columbia has lower average private school tuition at $8,300/year vs $9,500/year in Surprise. That's $1,200/year less, or $15,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Columbia is $1,200/year less than Surprise. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $15,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,900/year in Columbia, $7,100/year in Surprise.

How do Columbia and Surprise 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). Surprise averages $9,500/year ($2,850 below average).

Private School Cost: Columbia vs Surprise

Columbia averages $1,200/year less for private school (14% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $15,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Columbia is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,300/year vs $9,500/year in Surprise. Religious schools run $5,900/year on the low end.

Columbia

$8,300

avg tuition/year

$4,050 below national avg

Lower cost

Surprise

$9,500

avg tuition/year

$2,850 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Columbia	Surprise	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$8,300/yr	$9,500/yr	-$1,200
Religious Schools	$5,900/yr	$7,100/yr	-$1,200
Independent/Prep	$19,500/yr	$18,100/yr	+$1,400
Elementary (K-5)	$7,100/yr	$8,100/yr	-$1,000
Middle School (6-8)	$8,300/yr	$9,500/yr	-$1,200
High School (9-12)	$10,000/yr	$11,400/yr	-$1,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Columbia

$107,900

Surprise

$123,500

Choosing Columbia saves $15,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $31,200.

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

Surprise

Surprise Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $8,600-$10,800/yr

Holy Cross School (Surprise AZ)

Catholic · K–8 · $7,800-$9,600/yr

Full Columbia breakdown → Full Surprise breakdown →

Missouri private school costs Arizona 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.