Is private school cheaper in Boulder or Washington DC?

Boulder has lower average private school tuition at $15,200/year vs $28,400/year in Washington DC. That's $13,200/year less, or $171,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Boulder is $13,200/year less than Washington DC. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $171,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,900/year in Boulder, $15,200/year in Washington DC.

How do Boulder and Washington DC 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). Washington DC averages $28,400/year ($16,050 above average).

Private School Cost: Boulder vs Washington DC

Boulder averages $13,200/year less for private school (87% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $171,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Boulder is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $15,200/year vs $28,400/year in Washington DC. Religious schools run $9,900/year on the low end.

Boulder

$15,200

avg tuition/year

$2,850 above national avg

Lower cost

Washington DC

$28,400

avg tuition/year

$16,050 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Boulder	Washington DC	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$15,200/yr	$28,400/yr	-$13,200
Religious Schools	$9,900/yr	$15,200/yr	-$5,300
Independent/Prep	$29,900/yr	$46,000/yr	-$16,100
Elementary (K-5)	$12,900/yr	$23,000/yr	-$10,100
Middle School (6-8)	$15,200/yr	$28,400/yr	-$13,200
High School (9-12)	$18,200/yr	$35,500/yr	-$17,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Boulder

$197,600

Washington DC

$369,200

Choosing Boulder saves $171,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $343,200.

Sample Schools

Boulder

Naropa University Lab School

Independent · K–8 · $18,400/yr

Dawson School

Independent · PK–12 · $26,800/yr

Washington DC

Sidwell Friends School

Independent (Quaker) · PK–12 · $52,900/yr

Georgetown Day School

Independent · PK–12 · $51,400/yr

National Cathedral School

Independent · 4–12 · $50,200/yr

Gonzaga College High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $25,400/yr

Full Boulder breakdown → Full Washington DC breakdown →

Colorado private school costs District of Columbia private school costs

Related Comparisons

Washington DC vs Atlanta →

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.