PrivateSchoolCost

Private School Cost: Meridian vs Seattle

Meridian averages $16,700/year less for private school (214% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $217,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Meridian is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,800/year vs $24,500/year in Seattle. Religious schools run $5,300/year on the low end.

Meridian

ID

$7,800

avg tuition/year

$4,550 below national avg
Lower cost

Seattle

WA

$24,500

avg tuition/year

$12,150 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category Meridian Seattle Difference
All Schools (Average) $7,800/yr $24,500/yr -$16,700
Religious Schools $5,300/yr $13,200/yr -$7,900
Independent/Prep $15,100/yr $38,000/yr -$22,900
Elementary (K-5) $6,600/yr $20,000/yr -$13,400
Middle School (6-8) $7,800/yr $24,500/yr -$16,700
High School (9-12) $9,400/yr $30,500/yr -$21,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Meridian

$101,400

Seattle

$318,500

Choosing Meridian saves $217,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $434,200.

Sample Schools

Meridian

Nampa Christian Schools

Christian · K–12 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

Victory Charter School (Meridian)

Independent · K–12 · $8,400-$10,400/yr

Seattle

University Prep

Independent · 6–12 · $42,800/yr

Northwest School

Independent · 6–12 · $39,400/yr

Seattle Prep

Catholic · 9–12 · $21,200/yr

O'Dea High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,800/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.