Is private school cheaper in Boulder or Colorado Springs?

Colorado Springs has lower average private school tuition at $13,100/year vs $15,200/year in Boulder. That's $2,100/year less, or $27,300 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Colorado Springs is $2,100/year less than Boulder. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $27,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,900/year in Boulder, $8,500/year in Colorado Springs.

How do Boulder and Colorado Springs 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). Colorado Springs averages $13,100/year ($750 above average).

Private School Cost: Boulder vs Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs averages $2,100/year less for private school (16% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $27,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Colorado Springs is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,100/year vs $15,200/year in Boulder. Religious schools run $8,500/year on the low end.

Boulder

$15,200

avg tuition/year

$2,850 above national avg

Colorado Springs

$13,100

avg tuition/year

$750 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Boulder	Colorado Springs	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$15,200/yr	$13,100/yr	+$2,100
Religious Schools	$9,900/yr	$8,500/yr	+$1,400
Independent/Prep	$29,900/yr	$25,700/yr	+$4,200
Elementary (K-5)	$12,900/yr	$11,100/yr	+$1,800
Middle School (6-8)	$15,200/yr	$13,100/yr	+$2,100
High School (9-12)	$18,200/yr	$15,700/yr	+$2,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Boulder

$197,600

Colorado Springs

$170,300

Choosing Colorado Springs saves $27,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $54,600.

Sample Schools

Boulder

Naropa University Lab School

Independent · K–8 · $18,400/yr

Dawson School

Independent · PK–12 · $26,800/yr

Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $11,200-$14,400/yr

Cheyenne Mountain School District 12 (Private Prep)

Independent · K–12 · $12,800/yr

Full Boulder breakdown → Full Colorado Springs breakdown →

Colorado 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.