Is private school cheaper in Denver or Richmond?

Richmond has lower average private school tuition at $14,500/year vs $16,400/year in Denver. That's $1,900/year less, or $24,700 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Richmond is $1,900/year less than Denver. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $24,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,800/year in Denver, $9,200/year in Richmond.

How do Denver and Richmond 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). Richmond averages $14,500/year ($2,150 above average).

Private School Cost: Denver vs Richmond

Richmond averages $1,900/year less for private school (13% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $24,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Richmond is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $14,500/year vs $16,400/year in Denver. Religious schools run $9,200/year on the low end.

Denver

$16,400

avg tuition/year

$4,050 above national avg

Richmond

$14,500

avg tuition/year

$2,150 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Denver	Richmond	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$16,400/yr	$14,500/yr	+$1,900
Religious Schools	$9,800/yr	$9,200/yr	+$600
Independent/Prep	$28,500/yr	$27,000/yr	+$1,500
Elementary (K-5)	$13,500/yr	$11,800/yr	+$1,700
Middle School (6-8)	$16,400/yr	$14,500/yr	+$1,900
High School (9-12)	$20,200/yr	$18,000/yr	+$2,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Denver

$213,200

Richmond

$188,500

Choosing Richmond saves $24,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $49,400.

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

Richmond

St. Catherine's School (Richmond)

Independent · PK–12 · $28,800-$31,400/yr

St. Christopher's School

Independent · K–12 · $29,200-$31,800/yr

Collegiate School (Richmond)

Independent · PK–12 · $30,400-$32,800/yr

Benedictine College Preparatory

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,200/yr

Full Denver breakdown → Full Richmond breakdown →

Colorado private school costs Virginia private school costs

Related Comparisons

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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.