Is private school cheaper in Boulder or Surprise?

Surprise has lower average private school tuition at $9,500/year vs $15,200/year in Boulder. That's $5,700/year less, or $74,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Surprise is $5,700/year less than Boulder. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $74,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,900/year in Boulder, $7,100/year in Surprise.

How do Boulder and Surprise 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). Surprise averages $9,500/year ($2,850 below average).

Private School Cost: Boulder vs Surprise

Surprise averages $5,700/year less for private school (60% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $74,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Surprise is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,500/year vs $15,200/year in Boulder. Religious schools run $7,100/year on the low end.

Boulder

$15,200

avg tuition/year

$2,850 above national avg

Surprise

$9,500

avg tuition/year

$2,850 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Boulder	Surprise	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$15,200/yr	$9,500/yr	+$5,700
Religious Schools	$9,900/yr	$7,100/yr	+$2,800
Independent/Prep	$29,900/yr	$18,100/yr	+$11,800
Elementary (K-5)	$12,900/yr	$8,100/yr	+$4,800
Middle School (6-8)	$15,200/yr	$9,500/yr	+$5,700
High School (9-12)	$18,200/yr	$11,400/yr	+$6,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Boulder

$197,600

Surprise

$123,500

Choosing Surprise saves $74,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $148,200.

Sample Schools

Boulder

Naropa University Lab School

Independent · K–8 · $18,400/yr

Dawson School

Independent · PK–12 · $26,800/yr

Surprise

Surprise Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $8,600-$10,800/yr

Holy Cross School (Surprise AZ)

Catholic · K–8 · $7,800-$9,600/yr

Full Boulder breakdown → Full Surprise breakdown →

Colorado private school costs Arizona 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.