Is private school cheaper in Alexandria or Boise?

Boise has lower average private school tuition at $8,000/year vs $18,800/year in Alexandria. That's $10,800/year less, or $140,400 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Boise is $10,800/year less than Alexandria. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $140,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $12,900/year in Alexandria, $5,500/year in Boise.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Alexandria averages $18,800/year ($6,450 above average). Boise averages $8,000/year ($4,350 below average).

Private School Cost: Alexandria vs Boise

Boise averages $10,800/year less for private school (135% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $140,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Boise is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,000/year vs $18,800/year in Alexandria. Religious schools run $5,500/year on the low end.

Alexandria

$18,800

avg tuition/year

$6,450 above national avg

Boise

$8,000

avg tuition/year

$4,350 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Alexandria	Boise	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,800/yr	$8,000/yr	+$10,800
Religious Schools	$12,900/yr	$5,500/yr	+$7,400
Independent/Prep	$37,600/yr	$15,500/yr	+$22,100
Elementary (K-5)	$16,000/yr	$6,800/yr	+$9,200
Middle School (6-8)	$18,800/yr	$8,000/yr	+$10,800
High School (9-12)	$22,600/yr	$9,600/yr	+$13,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Alexandria

$244,400

Boise

$104,000

Choosing Boise saves $140,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $280,800.

Sample Schools

Alexandria

Episcopal High School (Alexandria VA)

Independent (Episcopal) · 9–12 · $65,800/yr

Bishop Ireton High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,400/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 Alexandria breakdown → Full Boise 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.