PrivateSchoolCost

Private School Cost: Denver vs Sparks

Sparks averages $5,200/year less for private school (46% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $67,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Sparks is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,200/year vs $16,400/year in Denver. Religious schools run $7,800/year on the low end.

Denver

CO

$16,400

avg tuition/year

$4,050 above national avg

Sparks

NV

$11,200

avg tuition/year

$1,150 below national avg
Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category Denver Sparks Difference
All Schools (Average) $16,400/yr $11,200/yr +$5,200
Religious Schools $9,800/yr $7,800/yr +$2,000
Independent/Prep $28,500/yr $22,500/yr +$6,000
Elementary (K-5) $13,500/yr $9,500/yr +$4,000
Middle School (6-8) $16,400/yr $11,200/yr +$5,200
High School (9-12) $20,200/yr $13,400/yr +$6,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Denver

$213,200

Sparks

$145,600

Choosing Sparks saves $67,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $135,200.

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

Sparks

Coral Academy of Science (Sparks)

Independent · K–12 · $7,400-$9,200/yr

St. Albert School (Sparks)

Catholic · K–8 · $8,200-$10,200/yr

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.