Is private school cheaper in Boise or Chesapeake?

Boise has lower average private school tuition at $8,000/year vs $14,300/year in Chesapeake. That's $6,300/year less, or $81,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Boise is $6,300/year less than Chesapeake. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $81,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,500/year in Boise, $9,800/year in Chesapeake.

How do Boise and Chesapeake 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). Chesapeake averages $14,300/year ($1,950 above average).

Private School Cost: Boise vs Chesapeake

Boise averages $6,300/year less for private school (79% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $81,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Boise is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,000/year vs $14,300/year in Chesapeake. Religious schools run $5,500/year on the low end.

Boise

$8,000

avg tuition/year

$4,350 below national avg

Lower cost

Chesapeake

$14,300

avg tuition/year

$1,950 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Boise	Chesapeake	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$8,000/yr	$14,300/yr	-$6,300
Religious Schools	$5,500/yr	$9,800/yr	-$4,300
Independent/Prep	$15,500/yr	$28,500/yr	-$13,000
Elementary (K-5)	$6,800/yr	$12,200/yr	-$5,400
Middle School (6-8)	$8,000/yr	$14,300/yr	-$6,300
High School (9-12)	$9,600/yr	$17,200/yr	-$7,600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Boise

$104,000

Chesapeake

$185,900

Choosing Boise saves $81,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $163,800.

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

Chesapeake

Greenbrier Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Norfolk Academy

Independent · K–12 · $23,800/yr

Full Boise breakdown → Full Chesapeake 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.