Is private school cheaper in Provo or Thornton?

Provo has lower average private school tuition at $8,500/year vs $13,100/year in Thornton. That's $4,600/year less, or $59,800 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Provo over Thornton?

Average tuition in Provo is $4,600/year less than Thornton. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $59,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,900/year in Provo, $8,500/year in Thornton.

How do Provo and Thornton private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Provo averages $8,500/year ($3,850 below average). Thornton averages $13,100/year ($750 above average).

Private School Cost: Provo vs Thornton

Provo averages $4,600/year less for private school (54% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $59,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Provo is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,500/year vs $13,100/year in Thornton. Religious schools run $5,900/year on the low end.

Provo

$8,500

avg tuition/year

$3,850 below national avg

Lower cost

Thornton

$13,100

avg tuition/year

$750 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Provo	Thornton	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$8,500/yr	$13,100/yr	-$4,600
Religious Schools	$5,900/yr	$8,500/yr	-$2,600
Independent/Prep	$16,900/yr	$25,700/yr	-$8,800
Elementary (K-5)	$7,200/yr	$11,100/yr	-$3,900
Middle School (6-8)	$8,500/yr	$13,100/yr	-$4,600
High School (9-12)	$10,200/yr	$15,700/yr	-$5,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Provo

$110,500

Thornton

$170,300

Choosing Provo saves $59,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $119,600.

Sample Schools

Provo

Provo Peaks Elementary (Private)

Independent · K–6 · $7,800-$9,800/yr

Mountain View Academy (Provo)

Independent · K–12 · $8,800-$10,800/yr

Thornton

Thornton Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

St. Pius X Catholic School (Thornton)

Catholic · K–8 · $8,400-$10,200/yr

Full Provo breakdown → Full Thornton 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.