Private School Cost: Boulder vs San Jose
Boulder averages $10,000/year less for private school (66% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $130,000 per child.
Bottom Line
Boulder is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $15,200/year vs $25,200/year in San Jose. Religious schools run $9,900/year on the low end.
Boulder
CO
$15,200
avg tuition/year
San Jose
CA
$25,200
avg tuition/year
Tuition by School Type & Grade
| Category | Boulder | San Jose | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Schools (Average) | $15,200/yr | $25,200/yr | -$10,000 |
| Religious Schools | $9,900/yr | $13,800/yr | -$3,900 |
| Independent/Prep | $29,900/yr | $40,500/yr | -$10,600 |
| Elementary (K-5) | $12,900/yr | $20,500/yr | -$7,600 |
| Middle School (6-8) | $15,200/yr | $25,200/yr | -$10,000 |
| High School (9-12) | $18,200/yr | $31,200/yr | -$13,000 |
K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)
Boulder
$197,600
San Jose
$327,600
Choosing Boulder saves $130,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $260,000.
Sample Schools
Boulder
Naropa University Lab School
Independent · K–8 · $18,400/yr
Dawson School
Independent · PK–12 · $26,800/yr
San Jose
Harker School
Independent · K–12 · $48,200-$51,600/yr
Bellarmine College Preparatory
Catholic · 9–12 · $22,800/yr
Archbishop Mitty High School
Catholic · 9–12 · $21,400/yr
Presentation High School
Catholic · 9–12 · $20,800/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.