Is private school cheaper in Boise or Riverside?

Boise has lower average private school tuition at $8,000/year vs $14,900/year in Riverside. That's $6,900/year less, or $89,700 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Boise is $6,900/year less than Riverside. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $89,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,500/year in Boise, $9,700/year in Riverside.

How do Boise and Riverside 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). Riverside averages $14,900/year ($2,550 above average).

Private School Cost: Boise vs Riverside

Boise averages $6,900/year less for private school (86% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $89,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Boise is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,000/year vs $14,900/year in Riverside. Religious schools run $5,500/year on the low end.

Boise

$8,000

avg tuition/year

$4,350 below national avg

Lower cost

Riverside

$14,900

avg tuition/year

$2,550 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Boise	Riverside	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$8,000/yr	$14,900/yr	-$6,900
Religious Schools	$5,500/yr	$9,700/yr	-$4,200
Independent/Prep	$15,500/yr	$29,000/yr	-$13,500
Elementary (K-5)	$6,800/yr	$12,700/yr	-$5,900
Middle School (6-8)	$8,000/yr	$14,900/yr	-$6,900
High School (9-12)	$9,600/yr	$17,900/yr	-$8,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Boise

$104,000

Riverside

$193,700

Choosing Boise saves $89,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $179,400.

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

Riverside

Notre Dame High School (Riverside)

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,800/yr

Riverside Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

Full Boise breakdown → Full Riverside breakdown →

Idaho private school costs California 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.