Is private school cheaper in Boise or Rochester?

Boise has lower average private school tuition at $8,000/year vs $18,100/year in Rochester. That's $10,100/year less, or $131,300 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Boise is $10,100/year less than Rochester. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $131,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,500/year in Boise, $10,400/year in Rochester.

How do Boise and Rochester 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). Rochester averages $18,100/year ($5,750 above average).

Private School Cost: Boise vs Rochester

Boise averages $10,100/year less for private school (126% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $131,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Boise is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,000/year vs $18,100/year in Rochester. Religious schools run $5,500/year on the low end.

Boise

$8,000

avg tuition/year

$4,350 below national avg

Lower cost

Rochester

$18,100

avg tuition/year

$5,750 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Boise	Rochester	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$8,000/yr	$18,100/yr	-$10,100
Religious Schools	$5,500/yr	$10,400/yr	-$4,900
Independent/Prep	$15,500/yr	$38,500/yr	-$23,000
Elementary (K-5)	$6,800/yr	$15,400/yr	-$8,600
Middle School (6-8)	$8,000/yr	$18,100/yr	-$10,100
High School (9-12)	$9,600/yr	$21,700/yr	-$12,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Boise

$104,000

Rochester

$235,300

Choosing Boise saves $131,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $262,600.

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

Rochester

McQuaid Jesuit High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,800/yr

Allendale Columbia School

Independent · PK–12 · $22,400/yr

Full Boise breakdown → Full Rochester breakdown →

Idaho private school costs New York 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.