Is private school cheaper in Boulder or Honolulu?

Boulder has lower average private school tuition at $15,200/year vs $20,200/year in Honolulu. That's $5,000/year less, or $65,000 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Boulder is $5,000/year less than Honolulu. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $65,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,900/year in Boulder, $12,900/year in Honolulu.

How do Boulder and Honolulu 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). Honolulu averages $20,200/year ($7,850 above average).

Private School Cost: Boulder vs Honolulu

Boulder averages $5,000/year less for private school (33% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $65,000 per child.

Bottom Line

Boulder is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $15,200/year vs $20,200/year in Honolulu. Religious schools run $9,900/year on the low end.

Boulder

$15,200

avg tuition/year

$2,850 above national avg

Lower cost

Honolulu

$20,200

avg tuition/year

$7,850 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Boulder	Honolulu	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$15,200/yr	$20,200/yr	-$5,000
Religious Schools	$9,900/yr	$12,900/yr	-$3,000
Independent/Prep	$29,900/yr	$37,600/yr	-$7,700
Elementary (K-5)	$12,900/yr	$17,200/yr	-$4,300
Middle School (6-8)	$15,200/yr	$20,200/yr	-$5,000
High School (9-12)	$18,200/yr	$24,200/yr	-$6,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Boulder

$197,600

Honolulu

$262,600

Choosing Boulder saves $65,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $130,000.

Sample Schools

Boulder

Naropa University Lab School

Independent · K–8 · $18,400/yr

Dawson School

Independent · PK–12 · $26,800/yr

Honolulu

Punahou School

Independent · K–12 · $27,400/yr

Iolani School

Independent (Episcopal) · K–12 · $24,800/yr

Saint Louis School (Honolulu)

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,800/yr

Full Boulder breakdown → Full Honolulu breakdown →

Colorado private school costs Hawaii 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.