Is private school cheaper in Boulder or Buffalo?

Boulder has lower average private school tuition at $15,200/year vs $18,500/year in Buffalo. That's $3,300/year less, or $42,900 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Boulder over Buffalo?

Average tuition in Boulder is $3,300/year less than Buffalo. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $42,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,900/year in Boulder, $10,600/year in Buffalo.

How do Boulder and Buffalo private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Boulder averages $15,200/year ($2,850 above average). Buffalo averages $18,500/year ($6,150 above average).

Private School Cost: Boulder vs Buffalo

Boulder averages $3,300/year less for private school (22% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $42,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Boulder is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $15,200/year vs $18,500/year in Buffalo. Religious schools run $9,900/year on the low end.

Boulder

$15,200

avg tuition/year

$2,850 above national avg

Lower cost

Buffalo

$18,500

avg tuition/year

$6,150 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Boulder	Buffalo	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$15,200/yr	$18,500/yr	-$3,300
Religious Schools	$9,900/yr	$10,600/yr	-$700
Independent/Prep	$29,900/yr	$39,400/yr	-$9,500
Elementary (K-5)	$12,900/yr	$15,700/yr	-$2,800
Middle School (6-8)	$15,200/yr	$18,500/yr	-$3,300
High School (9-12)	$18,200/yr	$22,200/yr	-$4,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Boulder

$197,600

Buffalo

$240,500

Choosing Boulder saves $42,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $85,800.

Sample Schools

Boulder

Naropa University Lab School

Independent · K–8 · $18,400/yr

Dawson School

Independent · PK–12 · $26,800/yr

Buffalo

Canisius High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,200/yr

Buffalo Seminary

Independent · 7–12 · $22,400/yr

Nardin Academy

Catholic · PK–12 · $16,800/yr

Full Boulder breakdown → Full Buffalo breakdown →

Colorado 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.