Is private school cheaper in Boulder or Lowell?

Boulder has lower average private school tuition at $15,200/year vs $23,600/year in Lowell. That's $8,400/year less, or $109,200 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Boulder is $8,400/year less than Lowell. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $109,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,900/year in Boulder, $12,800/year in Lowell.

How do Boulder and Lowell 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). Lowell averages $23,600/year ($11,250 above average).

Private School Cost: Boulder vs Lowell

Boulder averages $8,400/year less for private school (55% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $109,200 per child.

Bottom Line

Boulder is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $15,200/year vs $23,600/year in Lowell. Religious schools run $9,900/year on the low end.

Boulder

$15,200

avg tuition/year

$2,850 above national avg

Lower cost

Lowell

$23,600

avg tuition/year

$11,250 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Boulder	Lowell	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$15,200/yr	$23,600/yr	-$8,400
Religious Schools	$9,900/yr	$12,800/yr	-$2,900
Independent/Prep	$29,900/yr	$48,100/yr	-$18,200
Elementary (K-5)	$12,900/yr	$20,100/yr	-$7,200
Middle School (6-8)	$15,200/yr	$23,600/yr	-$8,400
High School (9-12)	$18,200/yr	$28,300/yr	-$10,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Boulder

$197,600

Lowell

$306,800

Choosing Boulder saves $109,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $218,400.

Sample Schools

Boulder

Naropa University Lab School

Independent · K–8 · $18,400/yr

Dawson School

Independent · PK–12 · $26,800/yr

Lowell

Lowell Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

St. Michael Academy (Lowell)

Catholic · K–8 · $10,800-$12,800/yr

Full Boulder breakdown → Full Lowell breakdown →

Colorado private school costs Massachusetts 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.