Is private school cheaper in Salem or Westminster?

Salem has lower average private school tuition at $12,400/year vs $13,100/year in Westminster. That's $700/year less, or $9,100 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Salem over Westminster?

Average tuition in Salem is $700/year less than Westminster. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $9,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,400/year in Salem, $8,500/year in Westminster.

How do Salem and Westminster private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Salem averages $12,400/year ($50 above average). Westminster averages $13,100/year ($750 above average).

Private School Cost: Salem vs Westminster

Salem averages $700/year less for private school (6% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $9,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Salem is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $12,400/year vs $13,100/year in Westminster. Religious schools run $8,400/year on the low end.

Salem

$12,400

avg tuition/year

$50 above national avg

Lower cost

Westminster

$13,100

avg tuition/year

$750 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Salem	Westminster	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$12,400/yr	$13,100/yr	-$700
Religious Schools	$8,400/yr	$8,500/yr	-$100
Independent/Prep	$25,000/yr	$25,700/yr	-$700
Elementary (K-5)	$10,500/yr	$11,100/yr	-$600
Middle School (6-8)	$12,400/yr	$13,100/yr	-$700
High School (9-12)	$14,900/yr	$15,700/yr	-$800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Salem

$161,200

Westminster

$170,300

Choosing Salem saves $9,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $18,200.

Sample Schools

Salem

Salem Academy (OR)

Christian · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Blanchet Catholic School (Salem)

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

Westminster

Westminster Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Holy Trinity School (Westminster CO)

Catholic · K–8 · $8,200-$10,200/yr

Full Salem breakdown → Full Westminster breakdown →

Oregon private school costs Colorado 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.