Is private school cheaper in Centennial or Salem?

Salem has lower average private school tuition at $12,400/year vs $13,700/year in Centennial. That's $1,300/year less, or $16,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Salem is $1,300/year less than Centennial. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $16,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,900/year in Centennial, $8,400/year in Salem.

How do Centennial and Salem 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). Salem averages $12,400/year ($50 above average).

Private School Cost: Centennial vs Salem

Salem averages $1,300/year less for private school (10% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $16,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Salem is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $12,400/year vs $13,700/year in Centennial. Religious schools run $8,400/year on the low end.

Centennial

$13,700

avg tuition/year

$1,350 above national avg

Salem

$12,400

avg tuition/year

$50 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Centennial	Salem	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$13,700/yr	$12,400/yr	+$1,300
Religious Schools	$8,900/yr	$8,400/yr	+$500
Independent/Prep	$27,000/yr	$25,000/yr	+$2,000
Elementary (K-5)	$11,600/yr	$10,500/yr	+$1,100
Middle School (6-8)	$13,700/yr	$12,400/yr	+$1,300
High School (9-12)	$16,400/yr	$14,900/yr	+$1,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Centennial

$178,100

Salem

$161,200

Choosing Salem saves $16,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $33,800.

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

Salem

Salem Academy (OR)

Christian · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Blanchet Catholic School (Salem)

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

Full Centennial breakdown → Full Salem breakdown →

Colorado private school costs Oregon 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.