Is private school cheaper in Boulder or Louisville?

Louisville has lower average private school tuition at $11,500/year vs $15,200/year in Boulder. That's $3,700/year less, or $48,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Louisville is $3,700/year less than Boulder. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $48,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,900/year in Boulder, $7,800/year in Louisville.

How do Boulder and Louisville 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). Louisville averages $11,500/year ($850 below average).

Private School Cost: Boulder vs Louisville

Louisville averages $3,700/year less for private school (32% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $48,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Louisville is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,500/year vs $15,200/year in Boulder. Religious schools run $7,800/year on the low end.

Boulder

$15,200

avg tuition/year

$2,850 above national avg

Louisville

$11,500

avg tuition/year

$850 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Boulder	Louisville	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$15,200/yr	$11,500/yr	+$3,700
Religious Schools	$9,900/yr	$7,800/yr	+$2,100
Independent/Prep	$29,900/yr	$21,500/yr	+$8,400
Elementary (K-5)	$12,900/yr	$9,400/yr	+$3,500
Middle School (6-8)	$15,200/yr	$11,500/yr	+$3,700
High School (9-12)	$18,200/yr	$14,200/yr	+$4,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Boulder

$197,600

Louisville

$149,500

Choosing Louisville saves $48,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $96,200.

Sample Schools

Boulder

Naropa University Lab School

Independent · K–8 · $18,400/yr

Dawson School

Independent · PK–12 · $26,800/yr

Louisville

Louisville Collegiate School

Independent · PK–12 · $22,400-$24,200/yr

Bellarmine University Prep (Affiliated)

Reference · N/A

Male High School (Public Magnet)

Magnet (Free) · 9–12

Trinity High School (Louisville)

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,400/yr

Full Boulder breakdown → Full Louisville breakdown →

Colorado private school costs Kentucky 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.