Is private school cheaper in Lakewood or Meridian?

Meridian has lower average private school tuition at $7,800/year vs $13,400/year in Lakewood. That's $5,600/year less, or $72,800 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Meridian over Lakewood?

Average tuition in Meridian is $5,600/year less than Lakewood. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $72,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,700/year in Lakewood, $5,300/year in Meridian.

How do Lakewood and Meridian private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Lakewood averages $13,400/year ($1,050 above average). Meridian averages $7,800/year ($4,550 below average).

Private School Cost: Lakewood vs Meridian

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

Bottom Line

Meridian is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,800/year vs $13,400/year in Lakewood. Religious schools run $5,300/year on the low end.

Lakewood

$13,400

avg tuition/year

$1,050 above national avg

Meridian

$7,800

avg tuition/year

$4,550 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Lakewood	Meridian	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$13,400/yr	$7,800/yr	+$5,600
Religious Schools	$8,700/yr	$5,300/yr	+$3,400
Independent/Prep	$26,500/yr	$15,100/yr	+$11,400
Elementary (K-5)	$11,400/yr	$6,600/yr	+$4,800
Middle School (6-8)	$13,400/yr	$7,800/yr	+$5,600
High School (9-12)	$16,100/yr	$9,400/yr	+$6,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Lakewood

$174,200

Meridian

$101,400

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

Sample Schools

Lakewood

Colorado Academy (Lakewood area)

Independent · PK–12 · $22,400/yr

Chatfield Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,800-$12,200/yr

Meridian

Nampa Christian Schools

Christian · K–12 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

Victory Charter School (Meridian)

Independent · K–12 · $8,400-$10,400/yr

Full Lakewood breakdown → Full Meridian breakdown →

Colorado private school costs Idaho private school costs

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.