Is private school cheaper in Denver or Oklahoma City?

Oklahoma City has lower average private school tuition at $10,400/year vs $16,400/year in Denver. That's $6,000/year less, or $78,000 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Oklahoma City is $6,000/year less than Denver. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $78,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,800/year in Denver, $7,000/year in Oklahoma City.

How do Denver and Oklahoma City 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). Oklahoma City averages $10,400/year ($1,950 below average).

Private School Cost: Denver vs Oklahoma City

Oklahoma City averages $6,000/year less for private school (58% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $78,000 per child.

Bottom Line

Oklahoma City is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,400/year vs $16,400/year in Denver. Religious schools run $7,000/year on the low end.

Denver

$16,400

avg tuition/year

$4,050 above national avg

Oklahoma City

$10,400

avg tuition/year

$1,950 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Denver	Oklahoma City	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$16,400/yr	$10,400/yr	+$6,000
Religious Schools	$9,800/yr	$7,000/yr	+$2,800
Independent/Prep	$28,500/yr	$19,500/yr	+$9,000
Elementary (K-5)	$13,500/yr	$8,500/yr	+$5,000
Middle School (6-8)	$16,400/yr	$10,400/yr	+$6,000
High School (9-12)	$20,200/yr	$12,800/yr	+$7,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Denver

$213,200

Oklahoma City

$135,200

Choosing Oklahoma City saves $78,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $156,000.

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

Oklahoma City

Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $10,800/yr

Mount St. Mary High School (OKC)

Catholic · 9–12 · $9,200/yr

Heritage Hall School

Independent · PK–12 · $18,800-$20,400/yr

Casady School

Independent · PK–12 · $20,200-$22,400/yr

Full Denver breakdown → Full Oklahoma City breakdown →

Colorado private school costs Oklahoma 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.