Is private school cheaper in Anchorage or Lakewood?

Anchorage has lower average private school tuition at $11,900/year vs $13,400/year in Lakewood. That's $1,500/year less, or $19,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Anchorage is $1,500/year less than Lakewood. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $19,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,900/year in Anchorage, $8,700/year in Lakewood.

How do Anchorage and Lakewood 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). Lakewood averages $13,400/year ($1,050 above average).

Private School Cost: Anchorage vs Lakewood

Anchorage averages $1,500/year less for private school (13% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $19,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Anchorage is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,900/year vs $13,400/year in Lakewood. Religious schools run $7,900/year on the low end.

Anchorage

$11,900

avg tuition/year

$450 below national avg

Lower cost

Lakewood

$13,400

avg tuition/year

$1,050 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Anchorage	Lakewood	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,900/yr	$13,400/yr	-$1,500
Religious Schools	$7,900/yr	$8,700/yr	-$800
Independent/Prep	$21,500/yr	$26,500/yr	-$5,000
Elementary (K-5)	$10,100/yr	$11,400/yr	-$1,300
Middle School (6-8)	$11,900/yr	$13,400/yr	-$1,500
High School (9-12)	$14,300/yr	$16,100/yr	-$1,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Anchorage

$154,700

Lakewood

$174,200

Choosing Anchorage saves $19,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $39,000.

Sample Schools

Anchorage

Pacific Northern Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $14,800/yr

Holy Rosary Academy (Anchorage)

Catholic · PK–8 · $9,600-$11,800/yr

Lakewood

Colorado Academy (Lakewood area)

Independent · PK–12 · $22,400/yr

Chatfield Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,800-$12,200/yr

Full Anchorage breakdown → Full Lakewood 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.