Is private school cheaper in Boulder or Waterbury?

Boulder has lower average private school tuition at $15,200/year vs $20,500/year in Waterbury. That's $5,300/year less, or $68,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Boulder is $5,300/year less than Waterbury. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $68,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,900/year in Boulder, $11,300/year in Waterbury.

How do Boulder and Waterbury 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). Waterbury averages $20,500/year ($8,150 above average).

Private School Cost: Boulder vs Waterbury

Boulder averages $5,300/year less for private school (35% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $68,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Boulder is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $15,200/year vs $20,500/year in Waterbury. Religious schools run $9,900/year on the low end.

Boulder

$15,200

avg tuition/year

$2,850 above national avg

Lower cost

Waterbury

$20,500

avg tuition/year

$8,150 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Boulder	Waterbury	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$15,200/yr	$20,500/yr	-$5,300
Religious Schools	$9,900/yr	$11,300/yr	-$1,400
Independent/Prep	$29,900/yr	$40,800/yr	-$10,900
Elementary (K-5)	$12,900/yr	$17,400/yr	-$4,500
Middle School (6-8)	$15,200/yr	$20,500/yr	-$5,300
High School (9-12)	$18,200/yr	$24,600/yr	-$6,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Boulder

$197,600

Waterbury

$266,500

Choosing Boulder saves $68,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $137,800.

Sample Schools

Boulder

Naropa University Lab School

Independent · K–8 · $18,400/yr

Dawson School

Independent · PK–12 · $26,800/yr

Waterbury

Holy Cross High School (Waterbury)

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Crosby High School (Waterbury)

Independent · 9–12 · $9,800/yr

Full Boulder breakdown → Full Waterbury breakdown →

Colorado private school costs Connecticut 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.