Is private school cheaper in Anchorage or Boulder?

Anchorage has lower average private school tuition at $11,900/year vs $15,200/year in Boulder. That's $3,300/year less, or $42,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Anchorage is $3,300/year less than Boulder. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $42,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,900/year in Anchorage, $9,900/year in Boulder.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Anchorage averages $11,900/year ($450 below average). Boulder averages $15,200/year ($2,850 above average).

Private School Cost: Anchorage vs Boulder

Anchorage averages $3,300/year less for private school (28% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $42,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Anchorage is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,900/year vs $15,200/year in Boulder. Religious schools run $7,900/year on the low end.

Anchorage

$11,900

avg tuition/year

$450 below national avg

Lower cost

Boulder

$15,200

avg tuition/year

$2,850 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Anchorage	Boulder	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,900/yr	$15,200/yr	-$3,300
Religious Schools	$7,900/yr	$9,900/yr	-$2,000
Independent/Prep	$21,500/yr	$29,900/yr	-$8,400
Elementary (K-5)	$10,100/yr	$12,900/yr	-$2,800
Middle School (6-8)	$11,900/yr	$15,200/yr	-$3,300
High School (9-12)	$14,300/yr	$18,200/yr	-$3,900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Anchorage

$154,700

Boulder

$197,600

Choosing Anchorage saves $42,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $85,800.

Sample Schools

Anchorage

Pacific Northern Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $14,800/yr

Holy Rosary Academy (Anchorage)

Catholic · PK–8 · $9,600-$11,800/yr

Boulder

Naropa University Lab School

Independent · K–8 · $18,400/yr

Dawson School

Independent · PK–12 · $26,800/yr

Full Anchorage breakdown → Full Boulder breakdown →

Alaska 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.