Is private school cheaper in Albany or Boulder?

Boulder has lower average private school tuition at $15,200/year vs $19,700/year in Albany. That's $4,500/year less, or $58,500 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Boulder over Albany?

Average tuition in Boulder is $4,500/year less than Albany. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $58,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $11,300/year in Albany, $9,900/year in Boulder.

How do Albany and Boulder private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Albany averages $19,700/year ($7,350 above average). Boulder averages $15,200/year ($2,850 above average).

Private School Cost: Albany vs Boulder

Boulder averages $4,500/year less for private school (30% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $58,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Boulder is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $15,200/year vs $19,700/year in Albany. Religious schools run $9,900/year on the low end.

Albany

$19,700

avg tuition/year

$7,350 above national avg

Boulder

$15,200

avg tuition/year

$2,850 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Albany	Boulder	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$19,700/yr	$15,200/yr	+$4,500
Religious Schools	$11,300/yr	$9,900/yr	+$1,400
Independent/Prep	$41,900/yr	$29,900/yr	+$12,000
Elementary (K-5)	$16,700/yr	$12,900/yr	+$3,800
Middle School (6-8)	$19,700/yr	$15,200/yr	+$4,500
High School (9-12)	$23,600/yr	$18,200/yr	+$5,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Albany

$256,100

Boulder

$197,600

Choosing Boulder saves $58,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $117,000.

Sample Schools

Albany

Albany Academy (NY)

Independent · PK–12 · $28,400/yr

Vincentian Institute

Catholic · PK–12 · $12,800/yr

Boulder

Naropa University Lab School

Independent · K–8 · $18,400/yr

Dawson School

Independent · PK–12 · $26,800/yr

Full Albany breakdown → Full Boulder breakdown →

New York private school costs Colorado 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.