PrivateSchoolCost

Private School Cost: Lakewood vs Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City averages $4,000/year less for private school (43% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $52,000 per child.

Bottom Line

Salt Lake City is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,400/year vs $13,400/year in Lakewood. Religious schools run $6,500/year on the low end.

Lakewood

CO

$13,400

avg tuition/year

$1,050 above national avg

Salt Lake City

UT

$9,400

avg tuition/year

$2,950 below national avg
Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category Lakewood Salt Lake City Difference
All Schools (Average) $13,400/yr $9,400/yr +$4,000
Religious Schools $8,700/yr $6,500/yr +$2,200
Independent/Prep $26,500/yr $18,700/yr +$7,800
Elementary (K-5) $11,400/yr $8,000/yr +$3,400
Middle School (6-8) $13,400/yr $9,400/yr +$4,000
High School (9-12) $16,100/yr $11,300/yr +$4,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Lakewood

$174,200

Salt Lake City

$122,200

Choosing Salt Lake City saves $52,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $104,000.

Sample Schools

Lakewood

Colorado Academy (Lakewood area)

Independent · PK–12 · $22,400/yr

Chatfield Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,800-$12,200/yr

Salt Lake City

Judge Memorial Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

Utah Private Academy

Independent · K–12 · $9,800-$12,400/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.