Is private school cheaper in Boulder or Fresno?

Fresno has lower average private school tuition at $10,500/year vs $15,200/year in Boulder. That's $4,700/year less, or $61,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Fresno is $4,700/year less than Boulder. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $61,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,900/year in Boulder, $7,000/year in Fresno.

How do Boulder and Fresno 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). Fresno averages $10,500/year ($1,850 below average).

Private School Cost: Boulder vs Fresno

Fresno averages $4,700/year less for private school (45% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $61,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Fresno is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,500/year vs $15,200/year in Boulder. Religious schools run $7,000/year on the low end.

Boulder

$15,200

avg tuition/year

$2,850 above national avg

Fresno

$10,500

avg tuition/year

$1,850 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Boulder	Fresno	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$15,200/yr	$10,500/yr	+$4,700
Religious Schools	$9,900/yr	$7,000/yr	+$2,900
Independent/Prep	$29,900/yr	$19,500/yr	+$10,400
Elementary (K-5)	$12,900/yr	$8,600/yr	+$4,300
Middle School (6-8)	$15,200/yr	$10,500/yr	+$4,700
High School (9-12)	$18,200/yr	$12,900/yr	+$5,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Boulder

$197,600

Fresno

$136,500

Choosing Fresno saves $61,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $122,200.

Sample Schools

Boulder

Naropa University Lab School

Independent · K–8 · $18,400/yr

Dawson School

Independent · PK–12 · $26,800/yr

Fresno

Clovis Christian Schools

Christian · K–12 · $9,200-$10,800/yr

Central High School (Fresno) (Catholic)

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,800/yr

Bullard Talent School

Magnet (Free) · K–8

Fresno Christian Schools

Christian · K–12 · $9,800-$11,400/yr

Full Boulder breakdown → Full Fresno breakdown →

Colorado private school costs California 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.