Private School Cost: Columbia vs West Jordan
Columbia averages $700/year less for private school (8% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $9,100 per child.
Bottom Line
Columbia is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,300/year vs $9,000/year in West Jordan. Religious schools run $5,900/year on the low end.
Columbia
MO
$8,300
avg tuition/year
West Jordan
UT
$9,000
avg tuition/year
Tuition by School Type & Grade
| Category | Columbia | West Jordan | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Schools (Average) | $8,300/yr | $9,000/yr | -$700 |
| Religious Schools | $5,900/yr | $6,200/yr | -$300 |
| Independent/Prep | $19,500/yr | $17,800/yr | +$1,700 |
| Elementary (K-5) | $7,100/yr | $7,700/yr | -$600 |
| Middle School (6-8) | $8,300/yr | $9,000/yr | -$700 |
| High School (9-12) | $10,000/yr | $10,800/yr | -$800 |
K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)
Columbia
$107,900
West Jordan
$117,000
Choosing Columbia saves $9,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $18,200.
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
West Jordan
Waterford School (Sandy/Jordan)
Independent · PK–12 · $18,400/yr
West Jordan Christian Academy
Christian · K–12 · $8,200-$10,400/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.