Is private school cheaper in Centennial or Thornton?

Thornton has lower average private school tuition at $13,100/year vs $13,700/year in Centennial. That's $600/year less, or $7,800 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Thornton is $600/year less than Centennial. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $7,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,900/year in Centennial, $8,500/year in Thornton.

How do Centennial and Thornton 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). Thornton averages $13,100/year ($750 above average).

Private School Cost: Centennial vs Thornton

Thornton averages $600/year less for private school (5% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $7,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Thornton is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,100/year vs $13,700/year in Centennial. Religious schools run $8,500/year on the low end.

Centennial

$13,700

avg tuition/year

$1,350 above national avg

Thornton

$13,100

avg tuition/year

$750 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Centennial	Thornton	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$13,700/yr	$13,100/yr	+$600
Religious Schools	$8,900/yr	$8,500/yr	+$400
Independent/Prep	$27,000/yr	$25,700/yr	+$1,300
Elementary (K-5)	$11,600/yr	$11,100/yr	+$500
Middle School (6-8)	$13,700/yr	$13,100/yr	+$600
High School (9-12)	$16,400/yr	$15,700/yr	+$700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Centennial

$178,100

Thornton

$170,300

Choosing Thornton saves $7,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $15,600.

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

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 Centennial breakdown → Full Thornton breakdown →

Colorado 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.