Is private school cheaper in Boulder or Frederick?

Boulder has lower average private school tuition at $15,200/year vs $16,700/year in Frederick. That's $1,500/year less, or $19,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Boulder is $1,500/year less than Frederick. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $19,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,900/year in Boulder, $11,300/year in Frederick.

How do Boulder and Frederick 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). Frederick averages $16,700/year ($4,350 above average).

Private School Cost: Boulder vs Frederick

Boulder averages $1,500/year less for private school (10% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $19,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Boulder is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $15,200/year vs $16,700/year in Frederick. Religious schools run $9,900/year on the low end.

Boulder

$15,200

avg tuition/year

$2,850 above national avg

Lower cost

Frederick

$16,700

avg tuition/year

$4,350 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Boulder	Frederick	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$15,200/yr	$16,700/yr	-$1,500
Religious Schools	$9,900/yr	$11,300/yr	-$1,400
Independent/Prep	$29,900/yr	$35,100/yr	-$5,200
Elementary (K-5)	$12,900/yr	$14,200/yr	-$1,300
Middle School (6-8)	$15,200/yr	$16,700/yr	-$1,500
High School (9-12)	$18,200/yr	$20,000/yr	-$1,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Boulder

$197,600

Frederick

$217,100

Choosing Boulder saves $19,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $39,000.

Sample Schools

Boulder

Naropa University Lab School

Independent · K–8 · $18,400/yr

Dawson School

Independent · PK–12 · $26,800/yr

Frederick

Frederick Classical Charter School (Private Prep)

Independent · K–12 · $11,200/yr

Visitation Academy (Frederick MD)

Catholic · PK–8 · $12,400/yr

Full Boulder breakdown → Full Frederick breakdown →

Colorado private school costs Maryland 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.