Is private school cheaper in Colorado Springs or Riverside?

Colorado Springs has lower average private school tuition at $13,100/year vs $14,900/year in Riverside. That's $1,800/year less, or $23,400 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Colorado Springs is $1,800/year less than Riverside. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $23,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,500/year in Colorado Springs, $9,700/year in Riverside.

How do Colorado Springs and Riverside 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). Riverside averages $14,900/year ($2,550 above average).

Private School Cost: Colorado Springs vs Riverside

Colorado Springs averages $1,800/year less for private school (14% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $23,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Colorado Springs is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,100/year vs $14,900/year in Riverside. Religious schools run $8,500/year on the low end.

Colorado Springs

$13,100

avg tuition/year

$750 above national avg

Lower cost

Riverside

$14,900

avg tuition/year

$2,550 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Colorado Springs	Riverside	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$13,100/yr	$14,900/yr	-$1,800
Religious Schools	$8,500/yr	$9,700/yr	-$1,200
Independent/Prep	$25,700/yr	$29,000/yr	-$3,300
Elementary (K-5)	$11,100/yr	$12,700/yr	-$1,600
Middle School (6-8)	$13,100/yr	$14,900/yr	-$1,800
High School (9-12)	$15,700/yr	$17,900/yr	-$2,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Colorado Springs

$170,300

Riverside

$193,700

Choosing Colorado Springs saves $23,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $46,800.

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

Riverside

Notre Dame High School (Riverside)

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,800/yr

Riverside Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

Full Colorado Springs breakdown → Full Riverside breakdown →

Colorado private school costs California 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.