Is private school cheaper in Colorado Springs or Des Moines?

Des Moines has lower average private school tuition at $6,900/year vs $13,100/year in Colorado Springs. That's $6,200/year less, or $80,600 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Des Moines over Colorado Springs?

Average tuition in Des Moines is $6,200/year less than Colorado Springs. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $80,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,500/year in Colorado Springs, $4,800/year in Des Moines.

How do Colorado Springs and Des Moines private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Colorado Springs averages $13,100/year ($750 above average). Des Moines averages $6,900/year ($5,450 below average).

Private School Cost: Colorado Springs vs Des Moines

Des Moines averages $6,200/year less for private school (90% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $80,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Des Moines is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,900/year vs $13,100/year in Colorado Springs. Religious schools run $4,800/year on the low end.

Colorado Springs

$13,100

avg tuition/year

$750 above national avg

Des Moines

$6,900

avg tuition/year

$5,450 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Colorado Springs	Des Moines	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$13,100/yr	$6,900/yr	+$6,200
Religious Schools	$8,500/yr	$4,800/yr	+$3,700
Independent/Prep	$25,700/yr	$14,400/yr	+$11,300
Elementary (K-5)	$11,100/yr	$5,900/yr	+$5,200
Middle School (6-8)	$13,100/yr	$6,900/yr	+$6,200
High School (9-12)	$15,700/yr	$8,300/yr	+$7,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Colorado Springs

$170,300

Des Moines

$89,700

Choosing Des Moines saves $80,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $161,200.

Sample Schools

Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $11,200-$14,400/yr

Cheyenne Mountain School District 12 (Private Prep)

Independent · K–12 · $12,800/yr

Des Moines

Dowling Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $10,400/yr

Des Moines Christian School

Christian · PK–12 · $9,600-$12,000/yr

Full Colorado Springs breakdown → Full Des Moines breakdown →

Colorado private school costs Iowa 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.