Is private school cheaper in Boulder or Des Moines?

Des Moines has lower average private school tuition at $6,900/year vs $15,200/year in Boulder. That's $8,300/year less, or $107,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Des Moines is $8,300/year less than Boulder. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $107,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,900/year in Boulder, $4,800/year in Des Moines.

How do Boulder and Des Moines 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). Des Moines averages $6,900/year ($5,450 below average).

Private School Cost: Boulder vs Des Moines

Des Moines averages $8,300/year less for private school (120% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $107,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Des Moines is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,900/year vs $15,200/year in Boulder. Religious schools run $4,800/year on the low end.

Boulder

$15,200

avg tuition/year

$2,850 above national avg

Des Moines

$6,900

avg tuition/year

$5,450 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Boulder	Des Moines	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$15,200/yr	$6,900/yr	+$8,300
Religious Schools	$9,900/yr	$4,800/yr	+$5,100
Independent/Prep	$29,900/yr	$14,400/yr	+$15,500
Elementary (K-5)	$12,900/yr	$5,900/yr	+$7,000
Middle School (6-8)	$15,200/yr	$6,900/yr	+$8,300
High School (9-12)	$18,200/yr	$8,300/yr	+$9,900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Boulder

$197,600

Des Moines

$89,700

Choosing Des Moines saves $107,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $215,800.

Sample Schools

Boulder

Naropa University Lab School

Independent · K–8 · $18,400/yr

Dawson School

Independent · PK–12 · $26,800/yr

Des Moines

Dowling Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $10,400/yr

Des Moines Christian School

Christian · PK–12 · $9,600-$12,000/yr

Full Boulder breakdown → Full Des Moines breakdown →

Colorado private school costs Iowa 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.