Is private school cheaper in Boulder or Springfield?

Springfield has lower average private school tuition at $11,100/year vs $15,200/year in Boulder. That's $4,100/year less, or $53,300 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Springfield is $4,100/year less than Boulder. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $53,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,900/year in Boulder, $7,000/year in Springfield.

How do Boulder and Springfield 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). Springfield averages $11,100/year ($1,250 below average).

Private School Cost: Boulder vs Springfield

Springfield averages $4,100/year less for private school (37% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $53,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Springfield is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,100/year vs $15,200/year in Boulder. Religious schools run $7,000/year on the low end.

Boulder

$15,200

avg tuition/year

$2,850 above national avg

Springfield

$11,100

avg tuition/year

$1,250 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Boulder	Springfield	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$15,200/yr	$11,100/yr	+$4,100
Religious Schools	$9,900/yr	$7,000/yr	+$2,900
Independent/Prep	$29,900/yr	$25,700/yr	+$4,200
Elementary (K-5)	$12,900/yr	$9,400/yr	+$3,500
Middle School (6-8)	$15,200/yr	$11,100/yr	+$4,100
High School (9-12)	$18,200/yr	$13,300/yr	+$4,900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Boulder

$197,600

Springfield

$144,300

Choosing Springfield saves $53,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $106,600.

Sample Schools

Boulder

Naropa University Lab School

Independent · K–8 · $18,400/yr

Dawson School

Independent · PK–12 · $26,800/yr

Springfield

Sacred Heart-Griffin High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $9,800/yr

Springfield Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $8,800-$10,600/yr

Full Boulder breakdown → Full Springfield breakdown →

Colorado private school costs Illinois 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.