Is private school cheaper in Columbia or Tyler?

Columbia has lower average private school tuition at $8,300/year vs $10,100/year in Tyler. That's $1,800/year less, or $23,400 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Columbia is $1,800/year less than Tyler. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $23,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,900/year in Columbia, $6,900/year in Tyler.

How do Columbia and Tyler 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). Tyler averages $10,100/year ($2,250 below average).

Private School Cost: Columbia vs Tyler

Columbia averages $1,800/year less for private school (22% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $23,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Columbia is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,300/year vs $10,100/year in Tyler. Religious schools run $5,900/year on the low end.

Columbia

$8,300

avg tuition/year

$4,050 below national avg

Lower cost

Tyler

$10,100

avg tuition/year

$2,250 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Columbia	Tyler	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$8,300/yr	$10,100/yr	-$1,800
Religious Schools	$5,900/yr	$6,900/yr	-$1,000
Independent/Prep	$19,500/yr	$21,300/yr	-$1,800
Elementary (K-5)	$7,100/yr	$8,600/yr	-$1,500
Middle School (6-8)	$8,300/yr	$10,100/yr	-$1,800
High School (9-12)	$10,000/yr	$12,100/yr	-$2,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Columbia

$107,900

Tyler

$131,300

Choosing Columbia saves $23,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $46,800.

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

Tyler

Tyler ISD STEM Academy (Private Prep)

Independent · 6–12 · $10,400/yr

Chapel Hill Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $8,400-$10,200/yr

Full Columbia breakdown → Full Tyler breakdown →

Missouri private school costs Texas 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.