Is private school cheaper in Boulder or Hartford?

Boulder has lower average private school tuition at $15,200/year vs $28,000/year in Hartford. That's $12,800/year less, or $166,400 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Boulder is $12,800/year less than Hartford. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $166,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,900/year in Boulder, $15,800/year in Hartford.

How do Boulder and Hartford 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). Hartford averages $28,000/year ($15,650 above average).

Private School Cost: Boulder vs Hartford

Boulder averages $12,800/year less for private school (84% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $166,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Boulder is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $15,200/year vs $28,000/year in Hartford. Religious schools run $9,900/year on the low end.

Boulder

$15,200

avg tuition/year

$2,850 above national avg

Lower cost

Hartford

$28,000

avg tuition/year

$15,650 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Boulder	Hartford	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$15,200/yr	$28,000/yr	-$12,800
Religious Schools	$9,900/yr	$15,800/yr	-$5,900
Independent/Prep	$29,900/yr	$44,500/yr	-$14,600
Elementary (K-5)	$12,900/yr	$22,800/yr	-$9,900
Middle School (6-8)	$15,200/yr	$28,000/yr	-$12,800
High School (9-12)	$18,200/yr	$35,000/yr	-$16,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Boulder

$197,600

Hartford

$364,000

Choosing Boulder saves $166,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $332,800.

Sample Schools

Boulder

Naropa University Lab School

Independent · K–8 · $18,400/yr

Dawson School

Independent · PK–12 · $26,800/yr

Hartford

Kingswood Oxford School

Independent · 6–12 · $44,800-$47,200/yr

Loomis Chaffee School

Independent (Day) · 9–12 · $48,200/yr

Watkinson School

Independent · 6–12 · $36,800/yr

Northwest Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,800/yr

Full Boulder breakdown → Full Hartford breakdown →

Colorado private school costs Connecticut 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.