Is private school cheaper in Boulder or Los Angeles?

Boulder has lower average private school tuition at $15,200/year vs $26,800/year in Los Angeles. That's $11,600/year less, or $150,800 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Boulder is $11,600/year less than Los Angeles. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $150,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,900/year in Boulder, $13,500/year in Los Angeles.

How do Boulder and Los Angeles 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). Los Angeles averages $26,800/year ($14,450 above average).

Private School Cost: Boulder vs Los Angeles

Boulder averages $11,600/year less for private school (76% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $150,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Boulder is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $15,200/year vs $26,800/year in Los Angeles. Religious schools run $9,900/year on the low end.

Boulder

$15,200

avg tuition/year

$2,850 above national avg

Lower cost

Los Angeles

$26,800

avg tuition/year

$14,450 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Boulder	Los Angeles	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$15,200/yr	$26,800/yr	-$11,600
Religious Schools	$9,900/yr	$13,500/yr	-$3,600
Independent/Prep	$29,900/yr	$42,000/yr	-$12,100
Elementary (K-5)	$12,900/yr	$22,000/yr	-$9,100
Middle School (6-8)	$15,200/yr	$26,800/yr	-$11,600
High School (9-12)	$18,200/yr	$32,000/yr	-$13,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Boulder

$197,600

Los Angeles

$348,400

Choosing Boulder saves $150,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $301,600.

Sample Schools

Boulder

Naropa University Lab School

Independent · K–8 · $18,400/yr

Dawson School

Independent · PK–12 · $26,800/yr

Los Angeles

Harvard-Westlake School

Independent · 7–12 · $47,890/yr

Crossroads School for Arts & Sciences

Independent · K–12 · $44,370/yr

Marlborough School

Independent · 7–12 · $44,800/yr

St. Monica Catholic School

Catholic · K–8 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

Full Boulder breakdown → Full Los Angeles breakdown →

Colorado private school costs California private school costs

Related Comparisons

Los Angeles vs San Francisco → Los Angeles vs San Diego → Los Angeles vs San Jose → Irvine vs Los Angeles →

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.