Is private school cheaper in Denver or Providence?

Denver has lower average private school tuition at $16,400/year vs $22,000/year in Providence. That's $5,600/year less, or $72,800 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Denver is $5,600/year less than Providence. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $72,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,800/year in Denver, $12,400/year in Providence.

How do Denver and Providence 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). Providence averages $22,000/year ($9,650 above average).

Private School Cost: Denver vs Providence

Denver averages $5,600/year less for private school (34% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $72,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Denver is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $16,400/year vs $22,000/year in Providence. Religious schools run $9,800/year on the low end.

Denver

$16,400

avg tuition/year

$4,050 above national avg

Lower cost

Providence

$22,000

avg tuition/year

$9,650 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Denver	Providence	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$16,400/yr	$22,000/yr	-$5,600
Religious Schools	$9,800/yr	$12,400/yr	-$2,600
Independent/Prep	$28,500/yr	$36,000/yr	-$7,500
Elementary (K-5)	$13,500/yr	$18,000/yr	-$4,500
Middle School (6-8)	$16,400/yr	$22,000/yr	-$5,600
High School (9-12)	$20,200/yr	$27,500/yr	-$7,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Denver

$213,200

Providence

$286,000

Choosing Denver saves $72,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $145,600.

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

Providence

Moses Brown School

Independent (Quaker) · PK–12 · $40,800-$43,200/yr

Wheeler School

Independent · PK–12 · $38,200-$40,800/yr

Providence Country Day School

Independent · 6–12 · $34,800/yr

La Salle Academy (Providence)

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,200/yr

Full Denver breakdown → Full Providence breakdown →

Colorado private school costs Rhode Island 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.