Is private school cheaper in Lakewood or Salem?

Salem has lower average private school tuition at $12,400/year vs $13,400/year in Lakewood. That's $1,000/year less, or $13,000 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Salem is $1,000/year less than Lakewood. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $13,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,700/year in Lakewood, $8,400/year in Salem.

How do Lakewood and Salem 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). Salem averages $12,400/year ($50 above average).

Private School Cost: Lakewood vs Salem

Salem averages $1,000/year less for private school (8% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $13,000 per child.

Bottom Line

Salem is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $12,400/year vs $13,400/year in Lakewood. Religious schools run $8,400/year on the low end.

Lakewood

$13,400

avg tuition/year

$1,050 above national avg

Salem

$12,400

avg tuition/year

$50 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Lakewood	Salem	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$13,400/yr	$12,400/yr	+$1,000
Religious Schools	$8,700/yr	$8,400/yr	+$300
Independent/Prep	$26,500/yr	$25,000/yr	+$1,500
Elementary (K-5)	$11,400/yr	$10,500/yr	+$900
Middle School (6-8)	$13,400/yr	$12,400/yr	+$1,000
High School (9-12)	$16,100/yr	$14,900/yr	+$1,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Lakewood

$174,200

Salem

$161,200

Choosing Salem saves $13,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $26,000.

Sample Schools

Lakewood

Colorado Academy (Lakewood area)

Independent · PK–12 · $22,400/yr

Chatfield Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,800-$12,200/yr

Salem

Salem Academy (OR)

Christian · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Blanchet Catholic School (Salem)

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

Full Lakewood breakdown → Full Salem breakdown →

Colorado private school costs Oregon 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.