Is private school cheaper in Denver or Lafayette?

Lafayette has lower average private school tuition at $6,200/year vs $16,400/year in Denver. That's $10,200/year less, or $132,600 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Lafayette over Denver?

Average tuition in Lafayette is $10,200/year less than Denver. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $132,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,800/year in Denver, $4,600/year in Lafayette.

How do Denver and Lafayette private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Denver averages $16,400/year ($4,050 above average). Lafayette averages $6,200/year ($6,150 below average).

Private School Cost: Denver vs Lafayette

Lafayette averages $10,200/year less for private school (165% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $132,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Lafayette is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,200/year vs $16,400/year in Denver. Religious schools run $4,600/year on the low end.

Denver

$16,400

avg tuition/year

$4,050 above national avg

Lafayette

$6,200

avg tuition/year

$6,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Denver	Lafayette	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$16,400/yr	$6,200/yr	+$10,200
Religious Schools	$9,800/yr	$4,600/yr	+$5,200
Independent/Prep	$28,500/yr	$14,900/yr	+$13,600
Elementary (K-5)	$13,500/yr	$5,300/yr	+$8,200
Middle School (6-8)	$16,400/yr	$6,200/yr	+$10,200
High School (9-12)	$20,200/yr	$7,400/yr	+$12,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Denver

$213,200

Lafayette

$80,600

Choosing Lafayette saves $132,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $265,200.

Sample Schools

Denver

Kent Denver School

Independent · 6–12 · $35,200-$37,800/yr

Colorado Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $33,800-$36,400/yr

Regis Jesuit High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,800/yr

Mullen High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,400/yr

Lafayette

Teurlings Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $9,600/yr

Ascension Episcopal School (Lafayette)

Independent (Episcopal) · PK–12 · $14,800/yr

Full Denver breakdown → Full Lafayette breakdown →

Colorado private school costs Louisiana private school costs

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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.