Is private school cheaper in Denver or Palmdale?

Palmdale has lower average private school tuition at $14,900/year vs $16,400/year in Denver. That's $1,500/year less, or $19,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Palmdale is $1,500/year less than Denver. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $19,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,800/year in Denver, $9,700/year in Palmdale.

How do Denver and Palmdale 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). Palmdale averages $14,900/year ($2,550 above average).

Private School Cost: Denver vs Palmdale

Palmdale averages $1,500/year less for private school (10% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $19,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Palmdale is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $14,900/year vs $16,400/year in Denver. Religious schools run $9,700/year on the low end.

Denver

$16,400

avg tuition/year

$4,050 above national avg

Palmdale

$14,900

avg tuition/year

$2,550 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Denver	Palmdale	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$16,400/yr	$14,900/yr	+$1,500
Religious Schools	$9,800/yr	$9,700/yr	+$100
Independent/Prep	$28,500/yr	$29,000/yr	-$500
Elementary (K-5)	$13,500/yr	$12,700/yr	+$800
Middle School (6-8)	$16,400/yr	$14,900/yr	+$1,500
High School (9-12)	$20,200/yr	$17,900/yr	+$2,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Denver

$213,200

Palmdale

$193,700

Choosing Palmdale saves $19,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $39,000.

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

Palmdale

Palmdale Aerospace Academy (Private)

Independent · K–12 · $10,200/yr

St. Mary School (Palmdale)

Catholic · K–8 · $8,200-$9,800/yr

Full Denver breakdown → Full Palmdale breakdown →

Colorado private school costs California private school costs

Related Comparisons

Denver vs Phoenix → Seattle vs Denver → Denver vs Dallas →

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.