Is private school cheaper in Lakewood or Tacoma?

Lakewood has lower average private school tuition at $13,400/year vs $13,700/year in Tacoma. That's $300/year less, or $3,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Lakewood is $300/year less than Tacoma. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $3,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,700/year in Lakewood, $9,400/year in Tacoma.

How do Lakewood and Tacoma 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). Tacoma averages $13,700/year ($1,350 above average).

Private School Cost: Lakewood vs Tacoma

Lakewood averages $300/year less for private school (2% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $3,900 per child.

Bottom Line

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

Lakewood

$13,400

avg tuition/year

$1,050 above national avg

Lower cost

Tacoma

$13,700

avg tuition/year

$1,350 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Lakewood	Tacoma	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$13,400/yr	$13,700/yr	-$300
Religious Schools	$8,700/yr	$9,400/yr	-$700
Independent/Prep	$26,500/yr	$29,400/yr	-$2,900
Elementary (K-5)	$11,400/yr	$11,600/yr	-$200
Middle School (6-8)	$13,400/yr	$13,700/yr	-$300
High School (9-12)	$16,100/yr	$16,400/yr	-$300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Lakewood

$174,200

Tacoma

$178,100

Choosing Lakewood saves $3,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $7,800.

Sample Schools

Lakewood

Colorado Academy (Lakewood area)

Independent · PK–12 · $22,400/yr

Chatfield Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,800-$12,200/yr

Tacoma

Charles Wright Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $28,400/yr

Bellarmine Preparatory School

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,400/yr

Full Lakewood breakdown → Full Tacoma breakdown →

Colorado private school costs Washington 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.