Private School Cost: Albuquerque vs Burlington
Albuquerque averages $8,000/year less for private school (78% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $104,000 per child.
Bottom Line
Albuquerque is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,200/year vs $18,200/year in Burlington. Religious schools run $7,000/year on the low end.
Albuquerque
NM
$10,200
avg tuition/year
Burlington
VT
$18,200
avg tuition/year
Tuition by School Type & Grade
| Category | Albuquerque | Burlington | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Schools (Average) | $10,200/yr | $18,200/yr | -$8,000 |
| Religious Schools | $7,000/yr | $11,000/yr | -$4,000 |
| Independent/Prep | $19,000/yr | $39,800/yr | -$20,800 |
| Elementary (K-5) | $8,400/yr | $15,500/yr | -$7,100 |
| Middle School (6-8) | $10,200/yr | $18,200/yr | -$8,000 |
| High School (9-12) | $12,500/yr | $21,800/yr | -$9,300 |
K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)
Albuquerque
$132,600
Burlington
$236,600
Choosing Albuquerque saves $104,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $208,000.
Sample Schools
Albuquerque
Albuquerque Academy
Independent · 6–12 · $20,800-$22,400/yr
Sandia Preparatory School
Independent · 6–12 · $18,400/yr
St. Pius X High School (Albuquerque)
Catholic · 9–12 · $10,800/yr
Bosque School
Independent · 6–12 · $19,800-$21,400/yr
Burlington
Rice Memorial High School (Burlington VT)
Catholic · 9–12 · $13,200/yr
Champlain Valley Christian School
Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/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.