Is private school cheaper in Buffalo or Denver?

Denver has lower average private school tuition at $16,400/year vs $18,500/year in Buffalo. That's $2,100/year less, or $27,300 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Denver over Buffalo?

Average tuition in Denver is $2,100/year less than Buffalo. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $27,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $10,600/year in Buffalo, $9,800/year in Denver.

How do Buffalo and Denver private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Buffalo averages $18,500/year ($6,150 above average). Denver averages $16,400/year ($4,050 above average).

Private School Cost: Buffalo vs Denver

Denver averages $2,100/year less for private school (13% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $27,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Denver is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $16,400/year vs $18,500/year in Buffalo. Religious schools run $9,800/year on the low end.

Buffalo

$18,500

avg tuition/year

$6,150 above national avg

Denver

$16,400

avg tuition/year

$4,050 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Buffalo	Denver	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,500/yr	$16,400/yr	+$2,100
Religious Schools	$10,600/yr	$9,800/yr	+$800
Independent/Prep	$39,400/yr	$28,500/yr	+$10,900
Elementary (K-5)	$15,700/yr	$13,500/yr	+$2,200
Middle School (6-8)	$18,500/yr	$16,400/yr	+$2,100
High School (9-12)	$22,200/yr	$20,200/yr	+$2,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Buffalo

$240,500

Denver

$213,200

Choosing Denver saves $27,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $54,600.

Sample Schools

Buffalo

Canisius High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,200/yr

Buffalo Seminary

Independent · 7–12 · $22,400/yr

Nardin Academy

Catholic · PK–12 · $16,800/yr

Denver

Kent Denver School

Independent · 6–12 · $35,200-$37,800/yr

Colorado Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $33,800-$36,400/yr

Regis Jesuit High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,800/yr

Mullen High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,400/yr

Full Buffalo breakdown → Full Denver breakdown →

New York private school costs Colorado private school costs

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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.