Is private school cheaper in Boulder or Lafayette?

Lafayette has lower average private school tuition at $6,200/year vs $15,200/year in Boulder. That's $9,000/year less, or $117,000 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Lafayette is $9,000/year less than Boulder. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $117,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,900/year in Boulder, $4,600/year in Lafayette.

How do Boulder and Lafayette 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). Lafayette averages $6,200/year ($6,150 below average).

Private School Cost: Boulder vs Lafayette

Lafayette averages $9,000/year less for private school (145% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $117,000 per child.

Bottom Line

Lafayette is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,200/year vs $15,200/year in Boulder. Religious schools run $4,600/year on the low end.

Boulder

$15,200

avg tuition/year

$2,850 above national avg

Lafayette

$6,200

avg tuition/year

$6,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Boulder	Lafayette	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$15,200/yr	$6,200/yr	+$9,000
Religious Schools	$9,900/yr	$4,600/yr	+$5,300
Independent/Prep	$29,900/yr	$14,900/yr	+$15,000
Elementary (K-5)	$12,900/yr	$5,300/yr	+$7,600
Middle School (6-8)	$15,200/yr	$6,200/yr	+$9,000
High School (9-12)	$18,200/yr	$7,400/yr	+$10,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Boulder

$197,600

Lafayette

$80,600

Choosing Lafayette saves $117,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $234,000.

Sample Schools

Boulder

Naropa University Lab School

Independent · K–8 · $18,400/yr

Dawson School

Independent · PK–12 · $26,800/yr

Lafayette

Teurlings Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $9,600/yr

Ascension Episcopal School (Lafayette)

Independent (Episcopal) · PK–12 · $14,800/yr

Full Boulder breakdown → Full Lafayette breakdown →

Colorado private school costs Louisiana 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.