Is private school cheaper in Boulder or Naperville?

Naperville has lower average private school tuition at $13,800/year vs $15,200/year in Boulder. That's $1,400/year less, or $18,200 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Naperville is $1,400/year less than Boulder. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $18,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,900/year in Boulder, $8,700/year in Naperville.

How do Boulder and Naperville 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). Naperville averages $13,800/year ($1,450 above average).

Private School Cost: Boulder vs Naperville

Naperville averages $1,400/year less for private school (10% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $18,200 per child.

Bottom Line

Naperville is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,800/year vs $15,200/year in Boulder. Religious schools run $8,700/year on the low end.

Boulder

$15,200

avg tuition/year

$2,850 above national avg

Naperville

$13,800

avg tuition/year

$1,450 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Boulder	Naperville	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$15,200/yr	$13,800/yr	+$1,400
Religious Schools	$9,900/yr	$8,700/yr	+$1,200
Independent/Prep	$29,900/yr	$31,900/yr	-$2,000
Elementary (K-5)	$12,900/yr	$11,700/yr	+$1,200
Middle School (6-8)	$15,200/yr	$13,800/yr	+$1,400
High School (9-12)	$18,200/yr	$16,600/yr	+$1,600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Boulder

$197,600

Naperville

$179,400

Choosing Naperville saves $18,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $36,400.

Sample Schools

Boulder

Naropa University Lab School

Independent · K–8 · $18,400/yr

Dawson School

Independent · PK–12 · $26,800/yr

Naperville

Benet Academy (Lisle/Naperville area)

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,400/yr

Wheaton Academy

Christian · 9–12 · $18,200/yr

Full Boulder breakdown → Full Naperville breakdown →

Colorado private school costs Illinois 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.