Is private school cheaper in Columbia or Trenton?

Columbia has lower average private school tuition at $8,300/year vs $16,800/year in Trenton. That's $8,500/year less, or $110,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Columbia is $8,500/year less than Trenton. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $110,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,900/year in Columbia, $10,800/year in Trenton.

How do Columbia and Trenton 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). Trenton averages $16,800/year ($4,450 above average).

Private School Cost: Columbia vs Trenton

Columbia averages $8,500/year less for private school (102% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $110,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Columbia is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,300/year vs $16,800/year in Trenton. Religious schools run $5,900/year on the low end.

Columbia

$8,300

avg tuition/year

$4,050 below national avg

Lower cost

Trenton

$16,800

avg tuition/year

$4,450 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Columbia	Trenton	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$8,300/yr	$16,800/yr	-$8,500
Religious Schools	$5,900/yr	$10,800/yr	-$4,900
Independent/Prep	$19,500/yr	$35,800/yr	-$16,300
Elementary (K-5)	$7,100/yr	$14,300/yr	-$7,200
Middle School (6-8)	$8,300/yr	$16,800/yr	-$8,500
High School (9-12)	$10,000/yr	$20,200/yr	-$10,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Columbia

$107,900

Trenton

$218,400

Choosing Columbia saves $110,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $221,000.

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

Trenton

Notre Dame High School (Trenton NJ)

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,200/yr

Trenton Catholic Academy

Catholic · K–12 · $12,400/yr

Full Columbia breakdown → Full Trenton breakdown →

Missouri private school costs New Jersey 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.