Is private school cheaper in Boulder or Fayetteville?

Fayetteville has lower average private school tuition at $9,000/year vs $15,200/year in Boulder. That's $6,200/year less, or $80,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Fayetteville is $6,200/year less than Boulder. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $80,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,900/year in Boulder, $6,300/year in Fayetteville.

How do Boulder and Fayetteville 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). Fayetteville averages $9,000/year ($3,350 below average).

Private School Cost: Boulder vs Fayetteville

Fayetteville averages $6,200/year less for private school (69% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $80,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Fayetteville is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,000/year vs $15,200/year in Boulder. Religious schools run $6,300/year on the low end.

Boulder

$15,200

avg tuition/year

$2,850 above national avg

Fayetteville

$9,000

avg tuition/year

$3,350 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Boulder	Fayetteville	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$15,200/yr	$9,000/yr	+$6,200
Religious Schools	$9,900/yr	$6,300/yr	+$3,600
Independent/Prep	$29,900/yr	$18,900/yr	+$11,000
Elementary (K-5)	$12,900/yr	$7,700/yr	+$5,200
Middle School (6-8)	$15,200/yr	$9,000/yr	+$6,200
High School (9-12)	$18,200/yr	$10,800/yr	+$7,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Boulder

$197,600

Fayetteville

$117,000

Choosing Fayetteville saves $80,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $161,200.

Sample Schools

Boulder

Naropa University Lab School

Independent · K–8 · $18,400/yr

Dawson School

Independent · PK–12 · $26,800/yr

Fayetteville

Cape Fear Academy (Wilmington)

Independent · PK–12 · $16,400/yr

Fayetteville Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Full Boulder breakdown → Full Fayetteville breakdown →

Colorado private school costs North Carolina 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.