Private School Cost: Boise vs Tacoma
Boise averages $5,700/year less for private school (71% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $74,100 per child.
Bottom Line
Boise is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,000/year vs $13,700/year in Tacoma. Religious schools run $5,500/year on the low end.
Boise
ID
$8,000
avg tuition/year
Tacoma
WA
$13,700
avg tuition/year
Tuition by School Type & Grade
| Category | Boise | Tacoma | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Schools (Average) | $8,000/yr | $13,700/yr | -$5,700 |
| Religious Schools | $5,500/yr | $9,400/yr | -$3,900 |
| Independent/Prep | $15,500/yr | $29,400/yr | -$13,900 |
| Elementary (K-5) | $6,800/yr | $11,600/yr | -$4,800 |
| Middle School (6-8) | $8,000/yr | $13,700/yr | -$5,700 |
| High School (9-12) | $9,600/yr | $16,400/yr | -$6,800 |
K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)
Boise
$104,000
Tacoma
$178,100
Choosing Boise saves $74,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $148,200.
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
Tacoma
Charles Wright Academy
Independent · PK–12 · $28,400/yr
Bellarmine Preparatory School
Catholic · 9–12 · $18,400/yr
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.