Is private school cheaper in Boulder or Cambridge?

Boulder has lower average private school tuition at $15,200/year vs $32,000/year in Cambridge. That's $16,800/year less, or $218,400 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Boulder is $16,800/year less than Cambridge. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $218,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,900/year in Boulder, $17,300/year in Cambridge.

How do Boulder and Cambridge 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). Cambridge averages $32,000/year ($19,650 above average).

Private School Cost: Boulder vs Cambridge

Boulder averages $16,800/year less for private school (111% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $218,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Boulder is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $15,200/year vs $32,000/year in Cambridge. Religious schools run $9,900/year on the low end.

Boulder

$15,200

avg tuition/year

$2,850 above national avg

Lower cost

Cambridge

$32,000

avg tuition/year

$19,650 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Boulder	Cambridge	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$15,200/yr	$32,000/yr	-$16,800
Religious Schools	$9,900/yr	$17,300/yr	-$7,400
Independent/Prep	$29,900/yr	$65,000/yr	-$35,100
Elementary (K-5)	$12,900/yr	$27,200/yr	-$14,300
Middle School (6-8)	$15,200/yr	$32,000/yr	-$16,800
High School (9-12)	$18,200/yr	$38,400/yr	-$20,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Boulder

$197,600

Cambridge

$416,000

Choosing Boulder saves $218,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $436,800.

Sample Schools

Boulder

Naropa University Lab School

Independent · K–8 · $18,400/yr

Dawson School

Independent · PK–12 · $26,800/yr

Cambridge

Cambridge School of Weston

Independent · 9–12 · $59,400/yr

Buckingham Browne & Nichols School

Independent · PK–12 · $58,800/yr

Full Boulder breakdown → Full Cambridge breakdown →

Colorado private school costs Massachusetts 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.