Is private school cheaper in Boulder or Simi Valley?

Boulder has lower average private school tuition at $15,200/year vs $17,200/year in Simi Valley. That's $2,000/year less, or $26,000 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Boulder is $2,000/year less than Simi Valley. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $26,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,900/year in Boulder, $11,200/year in Simi Valley.

How do Boulder and Simi Valley 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). Simi Valley averages $17,200/year ($4,850 above average).

Private School Cost: Boulder vs Simi Valley

Boulder averages $2,000/year less for private school (13% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $26,000 per child.

Bottom Line

Boulder is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $15,200/year vs $17,200/year in Simi Valley. Religious schools run $9,900/year on the low end.

Boulder

$15,200

avg tuition/year

$2,850 above national avg

Lower cost

Simi Valley

$17,200

avg tuition/year

$4,850 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Boulder	Simi Valley	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$15,200/yr	$17,200/yr	-$2,000
Religious Schools	$9,900/yr	$11,200/yr	-$1,300
Independent/Prep	$29,900/yr	$33,600/yr	-$3,700
Elementary (K-5)	$12,900/yr	$14,600/yr	-$1,700
Middle School (6-8)	$15,200/yr	$17,200/yr	-$2,000
High School (9-12)	$18,200/yr	$20,600/yr	-$2,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Boulder

$197,600

Simi Valley

$223,600

Choosing Boulder saves $26,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $52,000.

Sample Schools

Boulder

Naropa University Lab School

Independent · K–8 · $18,400/yr

Dawson School

Independent · PK–12 · $26,800/yr

Simi Valley

Notre Dame High School (Sherman Oaks)

Catholic · 9–12 · $21,400/yr

Simi Valley Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

Full Boulder breakdown → Full Simi Valley breakdown →

Colorado private school costs California 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.