Is private school cheaper in Columbia or Virginia Beach?

Columbia has lower average private school tuition at $8,300/year vs $13,200/year in Virginia Beach. That's $4,900/year less, or $63,700 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Columbia is $4,900/year less than Virginia Beach. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $63,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,900/year in Columbia, $8,600/year in Virginia Beach.

How do Columbia and Virginia Beach 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). Virginia Beach averages $13,200/year ($850 above average).

Private School Cost: Columbia vs Virginia Beach

Columbia averages $4,900/year less for private school (59% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $63,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Columbia is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,300/year vs $13,200/year in Virginia Beach. Religious schools run $5,900/year on the low end.

Columbia

$8,300

avg tuition/year

$4,050 below national avg

Lower cost

Virginia Beach

$13,200

avg tuition/year

$850 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Columbia	Virginia Beach	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$8,300/yr	$13,200/yr	-$4,900
Religious Schools	$5,900/yr	$8,600/yr	-$2,700
Independent/Prep	$19,500/yr	$24,500/yr	-$5,000
Elementary (K-5)	$7,100/yr	$10,800/yr	-$3,700
Middle School (6-8)	$8,300/yr	$13,200/yr	-$4,900
High School (9-12)	$10,000/yr	$16,200/yr	-$6,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Columbia

$107,900

Virginia Beach

$171,600

Choosing Columbia saves $63,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $127,400.

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

Virginia Beach

Norfolk Academy

Independent · 1–12 · $24,800-$27,200/yr

Cape Henry Collegiate School

Independent · PK–12 · $22,400-$24,800/yr

Bishop Sullivan Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,800/yr

Kellam High School (Public)

Public (Reference) · 9–12

Full Columbia breakdown → Full Virginia Beach breakdown →

Missouri private school costs Virginia 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.