Is private school cheaper in Boise or Cary?

Boise has lower average private school tuition at $8,000/year vs $11,500/year in Cary. That's $3,500/year less, or $45,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Boise is $3,500/year less than Cary. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $45,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,500/year in Boise, $8,100/year in Cary.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Boise averages $8,000/year ($4,350 below average). Cary averages $11,500/year ($850 below average).

Private School Cost: Boise vs Cary

Boise averages $3,500/year less for private school (44% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $45,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Boise is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,000/year vs $11,500/year in Cary. Religious schools run $5,500/year on the low end.

Boise

$8,000

avg tuition/year

$4,350 below national avg

Lower cost

Cary

$11,500

avg tuition/year

$850 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Boise	Cary	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$8,000/yr	$11,500/yr	-$3,500
Religious Schools	$5,500/yr	$8,100/yr	-$2,600
Independent/Prep	$15,500/yr	$24,100/yr	-$8,600
Elementary (K-5)	$6,800/yr	$9,800/yr	-$3,000
Middle School (6-8)	$8,000/yr	$11,500/yr	-$3,500
High School (9-12)	$9,600/yr	$13,800/yr	-$4,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Boise

$104,000

Cary

$149,500

Choosing Boise saves $45,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $91,000.

Sample Schools

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

Cary

Cary Academy

Independent · 6–12 · $25,800/yr

Thales Academy (Cary)

Independent · K–12 · $7,200-$9,400/yr

Full Boise breakdown → Full Cary breakdown →

Idaho private school costs North Carolina 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.