Is private school cheaper in Boulder or Fort Lauderdale?

Fort Lauderdale has lower average private school tuition at $11,700/year vs $15,200/year in Boulder. That's $3,500/year less, or $45,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Fort Lauderdale is $3,500/year less than Boulder. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $45,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,900/year in Boulder, $8,100/year in Fort Lauderdale.

How do Boulder and Fort Lauderdale 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). Fort Lauderdale averages $11,700/year ($650 below average).

Private School Cost: Boulder vs Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale averages $3,500/year less for private school (30% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $45,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Fort Lauderdale is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,700/year vs $15,200/year in Boulder. Religious schools run $8,100/year on the low end.

Boulder

$15,200

avg tuition/year

$2,850 above national avg

Fort Lauderdale

$11,700

avg tuition/year

$650 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Boulder	Fort Lauderdale	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$15,200/yr	$11,700/yr	+$3,500
Religious Schools	$9,900/yr	$8,100/yr	+$1,800
Independent/Prep	$29,900/yr	$24,100/yr	+$5,800
Elementary (K-5)	$12,900/yr	$9,900/yr	+$3,000
Middle School (6-8)	$15,200/yr	$11,700/yr	+$3,500
High School (9-12)	$18,200/yr	$14,000/yr	+$4,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Boulder

$197,600

Fort Lauderdale

$152,100

Choosing Fort Lauderdale saves $45,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $91,000.

Sample Schools

Boulder

Naropa University Lab School

Independent · K–8 · $18,400/yr

Dawson School

Independent · PK–12 · $26,800/yr

Fort Lauderdale

Pine Crest School

Independent · PK–12 · $34,800/yr

Cardinal Gibbons High School (Ft. Laud.)

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Westminster Academy

Christian · PK–12 · $18,400/yr

Full Boulder breakdown → Full Fort Lauderdale breakdown →

Colorado private school costs Florida 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.