Is private school cheaper in Boulder or South Bend?

South Bend has lower average private school tuition at $7,400/year vs $15,200/year in Boulder. That's $7,800/year less, or $101,400 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in South Bend is $7,800/year less than Boulder. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $101,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,900/year in Boulder, $5,500/year in South Bend.

How do Boulder and South Bend 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). South Bend averages $7,400/year ($4,950 below average).

Private School Cost: Boulder vs South Bend

South Bend averages $7,800/year less for private school (105% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $101,400 per child.

Bottom Line

South Bend is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,400/year vs $15,200/year in Boulder. Religious schools run $5,500/year on the low end.

Boulder

$15,200

avg tuition/year

$2,850 above national avg

South Bend

$7,400

avg tuition/year

$4,950 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Boulder	South Bend	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$15,200/yr	$7,400/yr	+$7,800
Religious Schools	$9,900/yr	$5,500/yr	+$4,400
Independent/Prep	$29,900/yr	$15,400/yr	+$14,500
Elementary (K-5)	$12,900/yr	$6,300/yr	+$6,600
Middle School (6-8)	$15,200/yr	$7,400/yr	+$7,800
High School (9-12)	$18,200/yr	$8,900/yr	+$9,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Boulder

$197,600

South Bend

$96,200

Choosing South Bend saves $101,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $202,800.

Sample Schools

Boulder

Naropa University Lab School

Independent · K–8 · $18,400/yr

Dawson School

Independent · PK–12 · $26,800/yr

South Bend

Saint Joseph High School (South Bend)

Catholic · 9–12 · $9,600/yr

South Bend STEM Academy

Independent · K–12 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

Full Boulder breakdown → Full South Bend breakdown →

Colorado private school costs Indiana 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.