Is private school cheaper in Boise or Cleveland?

Boise has lower average private school tuition at $8,000/year vs $11,200/year in Cleveland. That's $3,200/year less, or $41,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Boise is $3,200/year less than Cleveland. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $41,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,500/year in Boise, $7,400/year in Cleveland.

How do Boise and Cleveland 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). Cleveland averages $11,200/year ($1,150 below average).

Private School Cost: Boise vs Cleveland

Boise averages $3,200/year less for private school (40% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $41,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Boise is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,000/year vs $11,200/year in Cleveland. Religious schools run $5,500/year on the low end.

Boise

$8,000

avg tuition/year

$4,350 below national avg

Lower cost

Cleveland

$11,200

avg tuition/year

$1,150 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Boise	Cleveland	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$8,000/yr	$11,200/yr	-$3,200
Religious Schools	$5,500/yr	$7,400/yr	-$1,900
Independent/Prep	$15,500/yr	$21,000/yr	-$5,500
Elementary (K-5)	$6,800/yr	$9,200/yr	-$2,400
Middle School (6-8)	$8,000/yr	$11,200/yr	-$3,200
High School (9-12)	$9,600/yr	$13,800/yr	-$4,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Boise

$104,000

Cleveland

$145,600

Choosing Boise saves $41,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $83,200.

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

Cleveland

University School (Cleveland)

Independent · JK–12 · $26,400-$28,800/yr

Laurel School (Cleveland)

Independent · PK–12 · $24,800-$27,200/yr

St. Ignatius High School (Cleveland)

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,800/yr

St. Edward High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,200/yr

Full Boise breakdown → Full Cleveland breakdown →

Idaho private school costs Ohio 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.