Is private school cheaper in Columbia or West Palm Beach?

Columbia has lower average private school tuition at $8,300/year vs $11,300/year in West Palm Beach. That's $3,000/year less, or $39,000 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Columbia is $3,000/year less than West Palm Beach. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $39,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,900/year in Columbia, $7,800/year in West Palm Beach.

How do Columbia and West Palm 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). West Palm Beach averages $11,300/year ($1,050 below average).

Private School Cost: Columbia vs West Palm Beach

Columbia averages $3,000/year less for private school (36% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $39,000 per child.

Bottom Line

Columbia is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,300/year vs $11,300/year in West Palm Beach. Religious schools run $5,900/year on the low end.

Columbia

$8,300

avg tuition/year

$4,050 below national avg

Lower cost

West Palm Beach

$11,300

avg tuition/year

$1,050 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Columbia	West Palm Beach	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$8,300/yr	$11,300/yr	-$3,000
Religious Schools	$5,900/yr	$7,800/yr	-$1,900
Independent/Prep	$19,500/yr	$23,200/yr	-$3,700
Elementary (K-5)	$7,100/yr	$9,600/yr	-$2,500
Middle School (6-8)	$8,300/yr	$11,300/yr	-$3,000
High School (9-12)	$10,000/yr	$13,600/yr	-$3,600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Columbia

$107,900

West Palm Beach

$146,900

Choosing Columbia saves $39,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $78,000.

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

West Palm Beach

Palm Beach Day Academy

Independent · PK–8 · $32,400/yr

Cardinal Newman High School (WPB)

Catholic · 9–12 · $15,200/yr

Full Columbia breakdown → Full West Palm Beach breakdown →

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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.