Is private school cheaper in Centennial or Lincoln?

Lincoln has lower average private school tuition at $7,200/year vs $13,700/year in Centennial. That's $6,500/year less, or $84,500 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Lincoln over Centennial?

Average tuition in Lincoln is $6,500/year less than Centennial. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $84,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,900/year in Centennial, $5,000/year in Lincoln.

How do Centennial and Lincoln private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Centennial averages $13,700/year ($1,350 above average). Lincoln averages $7,200/year ($5,150 below average).

Private School Cost: Centennial vs Lincoln

Lincoln averages $6,500/year less for private school (90% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $84,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Lincoln is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,200/year vs $13,700/year in Centennial. Religious schools run $5,000/year on the low end.

Centennial

$13,700

avg tuition/year

$1,350 above national avg

Lincoln

$7,200

avg tuition/year

$5,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Centennial	Lincoln	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$13,700/yr	$7,200/yr	+$6,500
Religious Schools	$8,900/yr	$5,000/yr	+$3,900
Independent/Prep	$27,000/yr	$15,600/yr	+$11,400
Elementary (K-5)	$11,600/yr	$6,100/yr	+$5,500
Middle School (6-8)	$13,700/yr	$7,200/yr	+$6,500
High School (9-12)	$16,400/yr	$8,600/yr	+$7,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Centennial

$178,100

Lincoln

$93,600

Choosing Lincoln saves $84,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $169,000.

Sample Schools

Centennial

Arapahoe Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $10,400-$12,800/yr

Cherry Creek Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $9,800-$12,200/yr

Lincoln

Lincoln Christian High School

Christian · K–12 · $9,600-$11,800/yr

Pius X High School (Lincoln)

Catholic · 9–12 · $8,800/yr

Full Centennial breakdown → Full Lincoln 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.