Private School Cost: Columbia vs Kansas City
Columbia averages $4,600/year less for private school (56% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $59,800 per child.
Bottom Line
Columbia is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,200/year vs $12,800/year in Kansas City. Religious schools run $6,000/year on the low end.
Columbia
SC
$8,200
avg tuition/year
Kansas City
MO
$12,800
avg tuition/year
Tuition by School Type & Grade
| Category | Columbia | Kansas City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Schools (Average) | $8,200/yr | $12,800/yr | -$4,600 |
| Religious Schools | $6,000/yr | $8,200/yr | -$2,200 |
| Independent/Prep | $17,000/yr | $24,000/yr | -$7,000 |
| Elementary (K-5) | $7,000/yr | $10,400/yr | -$3,400 |
| Middle School (6-8) | $8,200/yr | $12,800/yr | -$4,600 |
| High School (9-12) | $9,800/yr | $15,800/yr | -$6,000 |
K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)
Columbia
$106,600
Kansas City
$166,400
Choosing Columbia saves $59,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $119,600.
Sample Schools
Columbia
Hammond School (Columbia SC)
Independent · PK–12 · $16,400/yr
Cardinal Newman School (Columbia SC)
Catholic · PK–12 · $11,200/yr
Kansas City
Pembroke Hill School
Independent · PK–12 · $24,800-$26,400/yr
Rockhurst High School
Catholic · 9–12 · $16,200/yr
Bishop Miege High School
Catholic · 9–12 · $14,200/yr
St. Teresa's Academy (KC)
Catholic · 9–12 · $13,800/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.