Is private school cheaper in Albany or Pasadena?

Pasadena has lower average private school tuition at $11,200/year vs $19,700/year in Albany. That's $8,500/year less, or $110,500 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Pasadena over Albany?

Average tuition in Pasadena is $8,500/year less than Albany. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $110,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $11,300/year in Albany, $7,600/year in Pasadena.

How do Albany and Pasadena private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Albany averages $19,700/year ($7,350 above average). Pasadena averages $11,200/year ($1,150 below average).

Private School Cost: Albany vs Pasadena

Pasadena averages $8,500/year less for private school (76% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $110,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Pasadena is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,200/year vs $19,700/year in Albany. Religious schools run $7,600/year on the low end.

Albany

$19,700

avg tuition/year

$7,350 above national avg

Pasadena

$11,200

avg tuition/year

$1,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Albany	Pasadena	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$19,700/yr	$11,200/yr	+$8,500
Religious Schools	$11,300/yr	$7,600/yr	+$3,700
Independent/Prep	$41,900/yr	$23,700/yr	+$18,200
Elementary (K-5)	$16,700/yr	$9,500/yr	+$7,200
Middle School (6-8)	$19,700/yr	$11,200/yr	+$8,500
High School (9-12)	$23,600/yr	$13,400/yr	+$10,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Albany

$256,100

Pasadena

$145,600

Choosing Pasadena saves $110,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $221,000.

Sample Schools

Albany

Albany Academy (NY)

Independent · PK–12 · $28,400/yr

Vincentian Institute

Catholic · PK–12 · $12,800/yr

Pasadena

San Jacinto Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $8,400-$10,200/yr

Blessed Sacrament School (Pasadena)

Catholic · K–8 · $7,800-$9,400/yr

Full Albany breakdown → Full Pasadena breakdown →

New York private school costs Texas 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.