Is private school cheaper in Denver or Sacramento?

Sacramento has lower average private school tuition at $16,000/year vs $16,400/year in Denver. That's $400/year less, or $5,200 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Sacramento is $400/year less than Denver. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $5,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,800/year in Denver, $9,800/year in Sacramento.

How do Denver and Sacramento 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). Sacramento averages $16,000/year ($3,650 above average).

Private School Cost: Denver vs Sacramento

Sacramento averages $400/year less for private school (3% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $5,200 per child.

Bottom Line

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

Denver

$16,400

avg tuition/year

$4,050 above national avg

Sacramento

$16,000

avg tuition/year

$3,650 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

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

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Denver

$213,200

Sacramento

$208,000

Choosing Sacramento saves $5,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $10,400.

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

Sacramento

Sacramento Country Day School

Independent · PK–12 · $29,800-$32,400/yr

Christian Brothers High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,800/yr

Jesuit High School (Sacramento)

Catholic · 9–12 · $19,400/yr

St. Francis High School (Sacramento)

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,200/yr

Full Denver breakdown → Full Sacramento 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.