Is private school cheaper in Albany or San Francisco?

Albany has lower average private school tuition at $19,700/year vs $34,200/year in San Francisco. That's $14,500/year less, or $188,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Albany is $14,500/year less than San Francisco. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $188,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $11,300/year in Albany, $16,000/year in San Francisco.

How do Albany and San Francisco 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). San Francisco averages $34,200/year ($21,850 above average).

Private School Cost: Albany vs San Francisco

Albany averages $14,500/year less for private school (74% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $188,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Albany is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $19,700/year vs $34,200/year in San Francisco. Religious schools run $11,300/year on the low end.

Albany

$19,700

avg tuition/year

$7,350 above national avg

Lower cost

San Francisco

$34,200

avg tuition/year

$21,850 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Albany	San Francisco	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$19,700/yr	$34,200/yr	-$14,500
Religious Schools	$11,300/yr	$16,000/yr	-$4,700
Independent/Prep	$41,900/yr	$52,000/yr	-$10,100
Elementary (K-5)	$16,700/yr	$28,000/yr	-$11,300
Middle School (6-8)	$19,700/yr	$34,200/yr	-$14,500
High School (9-12)	$23,600/yr	$42,000/yr	-$18,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Albany

$256,100

San Francisco

$444,600

Choosing Albany saves $188,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $377,000.

Sample Schools

Albany

Albany Academy (NY)

Independent · PK–12 · $28,400/yr

Vincentian Institute

Catholic · PK–12 · $12,800/yr

San Francisco

San Francisco University High School

Independent · 9–12 · $56,830/yr

The Urban School of San Francisco

Independent · 9–12 · $56,200/yr

Katherine Delmar Burke School

Independent · K–8 · $48,900/yr

St. Ignatius College Preparatory

Catholic · 9–12 · $24,600/yr

Full Albany breakdown → Full San Francisco breakdown →

New York private school costs California private school costs

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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.