Is private school cheaper in Lakewood or Palmdale?

Lakewood has lower average private school tuition at $13,400/year vs $14,900/year in Palmdale. That's $1,500/year less, or $19,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Lakewood is $1,500/year less than Palmdale. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $19,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,700/year in Lakewood, $9,700/year in Palmdale.

How do Lakewood and Palmdale 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). Palmdale averages $14,900/year ($2,550 above average).

Private School Cost: Lakewood vs Palmdale

Lakewood averages $1,500/year less for private school (11% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $19,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Lakewood is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,400/year vs $14,900/year in Palmdale. Religious schools run $8,700/year on the low end.

Lakewood

$13,400

avg tuition/year

$1,050 above national avg

Lower cost

Palmdale

$14,900

avg tuition/year

$2,550 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Lakewood	Palmdale	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$13,400/yr	$14,900/yr	-$1,500
Religious Schools	$8,700/yr	$9,700/yr	-$1,000
Independent/Prep	$26,500/yr	$29,000/yr	-$2,500
Elementary (K-5)	$11,400/yr	$12,700/yr	-$1,300
Middle School (6-8)	$13,400/yr	$14,900/yr	-$1,500
High School (9-12)	$16,100/yr	$17,900/yr	-$1,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Lakewood

$174,200

Palmdale

$193,700

Choosing Lakewood saves $19,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $39,000.

Sample Schools

Lakewood

Colorado Academy (Lakewood area)

Independent · PK–12 · $22,400/yr

Chatfield Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,800-$12,200/yr

Palmdale

Palmdale Aerospace Academy (Private)

Independent · K–12 · $10,200/yr

St. Mary School (Palmdale)

Catholic · K–8 · $8,200-$9,800/yr

Full Lakewood breakdown → Full Palmdale breakdown →

Colorado private school costs California 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.