Is private school cheaper in Burlington or Thornton?

Thornton has lower average private school tuition at $13,100/year vs $18,200/year in Burlington. That's $5,100/year less, or $66,300 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Thornton over Burlington?

Average tuition in Thornton is $5,100/year less than Burlington. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $66,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $11,000/year in Burlington, $8,500/year in Thornton.

How do Burlington and Thornton private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Burlington averages $18,200/year ($5,850 above average). Thornton averages $13,100/year ($750 above average).

Private School Cost: Burlington vs Thornton

Thornton averages $5,100/year less for private school (39% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $66,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Thornton is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,100/year vs $18,200/year in Burlington. Religious schools run $8,500/year on the low end.

Burlington

$18,200

avg tuition/year

$5,850 above national avg

Thornton

$13,100

avg tuition/year

$750 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Burlington	Thornton	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,200/yr	$13,100/yr	+$5,100
Religious Schools	$11,000/yr	$8,500/yr	+$2,500
Independent/Prep	$39,800/yr	$25,700/yr	+$14,100
Elementary (K-5)	$15,500/yr	$11,100/yr	+$4,400
Middle School (6-8)	$18,200/yr	$13,100/yr	+$5,100
High School (9-12)	$21,800/yr	$15,700/yr	+$6,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Burlington

$236,600

Thornton

$170,300

Choosing Thornton saves $66,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $132,600.

Sample Schools

Burlington

Rice Memorial High School (Burlington VT)

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,200/yr

Champlain Valley Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Thornton

Thornton Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

St. Pius X Catholic School (Thornton)

Catholic · K–8 · $8,400-$10,200/yr

Full Burlington breakdown → Full Thornton breakdown →

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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.