Private School Cost: Boulder vs Philadelphia
Boulder averages $5,000/year less for private school (33% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $65,000 per child.
Bottom Line
Boulder is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $15,200/year vs $20,200/year in Philadelphia. Religious schools run $9,900/year on the low end.
Boulder
CO
$15,200
avg tuition/year
Philadelphia
PA
$20,200
avg tuition/year
Tuition by School Type & Grade
| Category | Boulder | Philadelphia | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Schools (Average) | $15,200/yr | $20,200/yr | -$5,000 |
| Religious Schools | $9,900/yr | $11,400/yr | -$1,500 |
| Independent/Prep | $29,900/yr | $36,000/yr | -$6,100 |
| Elementary (K-5) | $12,900/yr | $16,500/yr | -$3,600 |
| Middle School (6-8) | $15,200/yr | $20,200/yr | -$5,000 |
| High School (9-12) | $18,200/yr | $25,000/yr | -$6,800 |
K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)
Boulder
$197,600
Philadelphia
$262,600
Choosing Boulder saves $65,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $130,000.
Sample Schools
Boulder
Naropa University Lab School
Independent · K–8 · $18,400/yr
Dawson School
Independent · PK–12 · $26,800/yr
Philadelphia
Episcopal Academy
Independent · PK–12 · $40,800-$43,200/yr
The Haverford School
Independent · PK–12 · $41,200/yr
Germantown Friends School
Independent (Quaker) · K–12 · $38,600/yr
La Salle College High School
Catholic · 9–12 · $19,200/yr
Related Comparisons
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.