Is private school cheaper in Colorado Springs or Seattle?

Colorado Springs has lower average private school tuition at $13,100/year vs $24,500/year in Seattle. That's $11,400/year less, or $148,200 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Colorado Springs is $11,400/year less than Seattle. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $148,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,500/year in Colorado Springs, $13,200/year in Seattle.

How do Colorado Springs and Seattle 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). Seattle averages $24,500/year ($12,150 above average).

Private School Cost: Colorado Springs vs Seattle

Colorado Springs averages $11,400/year less for private school (87% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $148,200 per child.

Bottom Line

Colorado Springs is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,100/year vs $24,500/year in Seattle. Religious schools run $8,500/year on the low end.

Colorado Springs

$13,100

avg tuition/year

$750 above national avg

Lower cost

Seattle

$24,500

avg tuition/year

$12,150 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Colorado Springs	Seattle	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$13,100/yr	$24,500/yr	-$11,400
Religious Schools	$8,500/yr	$13,200/yr	-$4,700
Independent/Prep	$25,700/yr	$38,000/yr	-$12,300
Elementary (K-5)	$11,100/yr	$20,000/yr	-$8,900
Middle School (6-8)	$13,100/yr	$24,500/yr	-$11,400
High School (9-12)	$15,700/yr	$30,500/yr	-$14,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Colorado Springs

$170,300

Seattle

$318,500

Choosing Colorado Springs saves $148,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $296,400.

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

Seattle

University Prep

Independent · 6–12 · $42,800/yr

Northwest School

Independent · 6–12 · $39,400/yr

Seattle Prep

Catholic · 9–12 · $21,200/yr

O'Dea High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,800/yr

Full Colorado Springs breakdown → Full Seattle breakdown →

Colorado private school costs Washington private school costs

Related Comparisons

Seattle vs Portland → Seattle vs Denver →

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.