Is private school cheaper in Boulder or New York City?

Boulder has lower average private school tuition at $15,200/year vs $38,500/year in New York City. That's $23,300/year less, or $302,900 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Boulder over New York City?

Average tuition in Boulder is $23,300/year less than New York City. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $302,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,900/year in Boulder, $17,500/year in New York City.

How do Boulder and New York City 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). New York City averages $38,500/year ($26,150 above average).

Private School Cost: Boulder vs New York City

Boulder averages $23,300/year less for private school (153% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $302,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Boulder is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $15,200/year vs $38,500/year in New York City. Religious schools run $9,900/year on the low end.

Boulder

$15,200

avg tuition/year

$2,850 above national avg

Lower cost

New York City

$38,500

avg tuition/year

$26,150 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Boulder	New York City	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$15,200/yr	$38,500/yr	-$23,300
Religious Schools	$9,900/yr	$17,500/yr	-$7,600
Independent/Prep	$29,900/yr	$58,000/yr	-$28,100
Elementary (K-5)	$12,900/yr	$32,000/yr	-$19,100
Middle School (6-8)	$15,200/yr	$38,500/yr	-$23,300
High School (9-12)	$18,200/yr	$48,000/yr	-$29,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Boulder

$197,600

New York City

$500,500

Choosing Boulder saves $302,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $605,800.

Sample Schools

Boulder

Naropa University Lab School

Independent · K–8 · $18,400/yr

Dawson School

Independent · PK–12 · $26,800/yr

New York City

Dalton School

Independent · K–12 · $60,310/yr

Trinity School NYC

Independent · K–12 · $59,900/yr

Horace Mann School

Independent · K–12 · $59,200/yr

Regis High School

Catholic (tuition-free) · 9–12

Full Boulder breakdown → Full New York City breakdown →

Colorado private school costs New York private school costs

Related Comparisons

New York vs Boston → New York vs Philadelphia → New York vs Chicago → New York vs Houston →

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.