Is private school cheaper in Lincoln or Meridian?

Lincoln has lower average private school tuition at $7,200/year vs $7,800/year in Meridian. That's $600/year less, or $7,800 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Lincoln is $600/year less than Meridian. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $7,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,000/year in Lincoln, $5,300/year in Meridian.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Lincoln averages $7,200/year ($5,150 below average). Meridian averages $7,800/year ($4,550 below average).

Private School Cost: Lincoln vs Meridian

Lincoln averages $600/year less for private school (8% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $7,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Lincoln is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,200/year vs $7,800/year in Meridian. Religious schools run $5,000/year on the low end.

Lincoln

$7,200

avg tuition/year

$5,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Meridian

$7,800

avg tuition/year

$4,550 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Lincoln	Meridian	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$7,200/yr	$7,800/yr	-$600
Religious Schools	$5,000/yr	$5,300/yr	-$300
Independent/Prep	$15,600/yr	$15,100/yr	+$500
Elementary (K-5)	$6,100/yr	$6,600/yr	-$500
Middle School (6-8)	$7,200/yr	$7,800/yr	-$600
High School (9-12)	$8,600/yr	$9,400/yr	-$800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Lincoln

$93,600

Meridian

$101,400

Choosing Lincoln saves $7,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $15,600.

Sample Schools

Lincoln

Lincoln Christian High School

Christian · K–12 · $9,600-$11,800/yr

Pius X High School (Lincoln)

Catholic · 9–12 · $8,800/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 Lincoln breakdown → Full Meridian breakdown →

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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.