Is private school cheaper in Boulder or Tacoma?

Tacoma has lower average private school tuition at $13,700/year vs $15,200/year in Boulder. That's $1,500/year less, or $19,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Tacoma is $1,500/year less than Boulder. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $19,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,900/year in Boulder, $9,400/year in Tacoma.

How do Boulder and Tacoma 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). Tacoma averages $13,700/year ($1,350 above average).

Private School Cost: Boulder vs Tacoma

Tacoma averages $1,500/year less for private school (11% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $19,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Tacoma is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,700/year vs $15,200/year in Boulder. Religious schools run $9,400/year on the low end.

Boulder

$15,200

avg tuition/year

$2,850 above national avg

Tacoma

$13,700

avg tuition/year

$1,350 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Boulder	Tacoma	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$15,200/yr	$13,700/yr	+$1,500
Religious Schools	$9,900/yr	$9,400/yr	+$500
Independent/Prep	$29,900/yr	$29,400/yr	+$500
Elementary (K-5)	$12,900/yr	$11,600/yr	+$1,300
Middle School (6-8)	$15,200/yr	$13,700/yr	+$1,500
High School (9-12)	$18,200/yr	$16,400/yr	+$1,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Boulder

$197,600

Tacoma

$178,100

Choosing Tacoma saves $19,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $39,000.

Sample Schools

Boulder

Naropa University Lab School

Independent · K–8 · $18,400/yr

Dawson School

Independent · PK–12 · $26,800/yr

Tacoma

Charles Wright Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $28,400/yr

Bellarmine Preparatory School

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,400/yr

Full Boulder breakdown → Full Tacoma breakdown →

Colorado private school costs Washington 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.