Is private school cheaper in Boise or Cedar Rapids?

Cedar Rapids has lower average private school tuition at $6,800/year vs $8,000/year in Boise. That's $1,200/year less, or $15,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Cedar Rapids is $1,200/year less than Boise. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $15,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,500/year in Boise, $4,800/year in Cedar Rapids.

How do Boise and Cedar Rapids 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). Cedar Rapids averages $6,800/year ($5,550 below average).

Private School Cost: Boise vs Cedar Rapids

Cedar Rapids averages $1,200/year less for private school (18% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $15,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Cedar Rapids is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,800/year vs $8,000/year in Boise. Religious schools run $4,800/year on the low end.

Boise

$8,000

avg tuition/year

$4,350 below national avg

Cedar Rapids

$6,800

avg tuition/year

$5,550 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Boise	Cedar Rapids	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$8,000/yr	$6,800/yr	+$1,200
Religious Schools	$5,500/yr	$4,800/yr	+$700
Independent/Prep	$15,500/yr	$14,300/yr	+$1,200
Elementary (K-5)	$6,800/yr	$5,800/yr	+$1,000
Middle School (6-8)	$8,000/yr	$6,800/yr	+$1,200
High School (9-12)	$9,600/yr	$8,200/yr	+$1,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Boise

$104,000

Cedar Rapids

$88,400

Choosing Cedar Rapids saves $15,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $31,200.

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

Cedar Rapids

Xavier High School (Cedar Rapids)

Catholic · 9–12 · $9,400/yr

Cedar Rapids Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $8,400-$10,400/yr

Full Boise breakdown → Full Cedar Rapids breakdown →

Idaho private school costs Iowa 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.