Is private school cheaper in Boulder or Raleigh?

Raleigh has lower average private school tuition at $13,000/year vs $15,200/year in Boulder. That's $2,200/year less, or $28,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Raleigh is $2,200/year less than Boulder. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $28,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,900/year in Boulder, $8,200/year in Raleigh.

How do Boulder and Raleigh 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). Raleigh averages $13,000/year ($650 above average).

Private School Cost: Boulder vs Raleigh

Raleigh averages $2,200/year less for private school (17% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $28,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Raleigh is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,000/year vs $15,200/year in Boulder. Religious schools run $8,200/year on the low end.

Boulder

$15,200

avg tuition/year

$2,850 above national avg

Raleigh

$13,000

avg tuition/year

$650 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Boulder	Raleigh	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$15,200/yr	$13,000/yr	+$2,200
Religious Schools	$9,900/yr	$8,200/yr	+$1,700
Independent/Prep	$29,900/yr	$24,500/yr	+$5,400
Elementary (K-5)	$12,900/yr	$10,600/yr	+$2,300
Middle School (6-8)	$15,200/yr	$13,000/yr	+$2,200
High School (9-12)	$18,200/yr	$16,000/yr	+$2,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Boulder

$197,600

Raleigh

$169,000

Choosing Raleigh saves $28,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $57,200.

Sample Schools

Boulder

Naropa University Lab School

Independent · K–8 · $18,400/yr

Dawson School

Independent · PK–12 · $26,800/yr

Raleigh

Ravenscroft School

Independent · PK–12 · $26,800-$29,200/yr

Cardinal Gibbons High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,400/yr

Cary Academy

Independent · 6–12 · $22,400-$24,800/yr

Raleigh Charter High School

Charter (Free) · 9–12

Full Boulder breakdown → Full Raleigh breakdown →

Colorado private school costs North Carolina private school costs

Related Comparisons

Raleigh vs Charlotte → Austin vs Raleigh →

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.