Is private school cheaper in Boulder or Paterson?

Boulder has lower average private school tuition at $15,200/year vs $18,100/year in Paterson. That's $2,900/year less, or $37,700 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Boulder is $2,900/year less than Paterson. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $37,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,900/year in Boulder, $11,700/year in Paterson.

How do Boulder and Paterson 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). Paterson averages $18,100/year ($5,750 above average).

Private School Cost: Boulder vs Paterson

Boulder averages $2,900/year less for private school (19% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $37,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Boulder is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $15,200/year vs $18,100/year in Paterson. Religious schools run $9,900/year on the low end.

Boulder

$15,200

avg tuition/year

$2,850 above national avg

Lower cost

Paterson

$18,100

avg tuition/year

$5,750 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Boulder	Paterson	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$15,200/yr	$18,100/yr	-$2,900
Religious Schools	$9,900/yr	$11,700/yr	-$1,800
Independent/Prep	$29,900/yr	$38,700/yr	-$8,800
Elementary (K-5)	$12,900/yr	$15,400/yr	-$2,500
Middle School (6-8)	$15,200/yr	$18,100/yr	-$2,900
High School (9-12)	$18,200/yr	$21,700/yr	-$3,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Boulder

$197,600

Paterson

$235,300

Choosing Boulder saves $37,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $75,400.

Sample Schools

Boulder

Naropa University Lab School

Independent · K–8 · $18,400/yr

Dawson School

Independent · PK–12 · $26,800/yr

Paterson

Paramus Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $15,800/yr

St. Philip the Apostle School

Catholic · K–8 · $10,200-$12,400/yr

Full Boulder breakdown → Full Paterson breakdown →

Colorado private school costs New Jersey 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.