Is private school cheaper in Abilene or Boise?

Boise has lower average private school tuition at $8,000/year vs $9,700/year in Abilene. That's $1,700/year less, or $22,100 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Boise over Abilene?

Average tuition in Boise is $1,700/year less than Abilene. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $22,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,600/year in Abilene, $5,500/year in Boise.

How do Abilene and Boise private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Abilene averages $9,700/year ($2,650 below average). Boise averages $8,000/year ($4,350 below average).

Private School Cost: Abilene vs Boise

Boise averages $1,700/year less for private school (21% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $22,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Boise is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,000/year vs $9,700/year in Abilene. Religious schools run $5,500/year on the low end.

Abilene

$9,700

avg tuition/year

$2,650 below national avg

Boise

$8,000

avg tuition/year

$4,350 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Abilene	Boise	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$9,700/yr	$8,000/yr	+$1,700
Religious Schools	$6,600/yr	$5,500/yr	+$1,100
Independent/Prep	$20,600/yr	$15,500/yr	+$5,100
Elementary (K-5)	$8,200/yr	$6,800/yr	+$1,400
Middle School (6-8)	$9,700/yr	$8,000/yr	+$1,700
High School (9-12)	$11,600/yr	$9,600/yr	+$2,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Abilene

$126,100

Boise

$104,000

Choosing Boise saves $22,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $44,200.

Sample Schools

Abilene

Wylie Academy (Abilene)

Christian · K–12 · $8,800-$11,200/yr

St. Joseph School (Abilene)

Catholic · K–8 · $7,400-$9,000/yr

Boise

The Ambrose School (Boise)

Christian Classical · PK–12 · $12,200-$14,800/yr

Boise Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Full Abilene breakdown → Full Boise breakdown →

Texas private school costs Idaho 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.