Is private school cheaper in Seattle or Thornton?

Thornton has lower average private school tuition at $13,100/year vs $24,500/year in Seattle. That's $11,400/year less, or $148,200 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Thornton is $11,400/year less than Seattle. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $148,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $13,200/year in Seattle, $8,500/year in Thornton.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Seattle averages $24,500/year ($12,150 above average). Thornton averages $13,100/year ($750 above average).

Private School Cost: Seattle vs Thornton

Thornton averages $11,400/year less for private school (87% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $148,200 per child.

Bottom Line

Thornton is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,100/year vs $24,500/year in Seattle. Religious schools run $8,500/year on the low end.

Seattle

$24,500

avg tuition/year

$12,150 above national avg

Thornton

$13,100

avg tuition/year

$750 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Seattle	Thornton	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$24,500/yr	$13,100/yr	+$11,400
Religious Schools	$13,200/yr	$8,500/yr	+$4,700
Independent/Prep	$38,000/yr	$25,700/yr	+$12,300
Elementary (K-5)	$20,000/yr	$11,100/yr	+$8,900
Middle School (6-8)	$24,500/yr	$13,100/yr	+$11,400
High School (9-12)	$30,500/yr	$15,700/yr	+$14,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Seattle

$318,500

Thornton

$170,300

Choosing Thornton saves $148,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $296,400.

Sample Schools

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

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 Seattle breakdown → Full Thornton breakdown →

Washington private school costs Colorado private school costs

Related Comparisons

Seattle vs Portland → Seattle vs Denver →

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.