Is private school cheaper in Alexandria or San Francisco?

Alexandria has lower average private school tuition at $18,800/year vs $34,200/year in San Francisco. That's $15,400/year less, or $200,200 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Alexandria is $15,400/year less than San Francisco. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $200,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $12,900/year in Alexandria, $16,000/year in San Francisco.

How do Alexandria and San Francisco private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Alexandria averages $18,800/year ($6,450 above average). San Francisco averages $34,200/year ($21,850 above average).

Private School Cost: Alexandria vs San Francisco

Alexandria averages $15,400/year less for private school (82% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $200,200 per child.

Bottom Line

Alexandria is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $18,800/year vs $34,200/year in San Francisco. Religious schools run $12,900/year on the low end.

Alexandria

$18,800

avg tuition/year

$6,450 above national avg

Lower cost

San Francisco

$34,200

avg tuition/year

$21,850 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Alexandria	San Francisco	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,800/yr	$34,200/yr	-$15,400
Religious Schools	$12,900/yr	$16,000/yr	-$3,100
Independent/Prep	$37,600/yr	$52,000/yr	-$14,400
Elementary (K-5)	$16,000/yr	$28,000/yr	-$12,000
Middle School (6-8)	$18,800/yr	$34,200/yr	-$15,400
High School (9-12)	$22,600/yr	$42,000/yr	-$19,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Alexandria

$244,400

San Francisco

$444,600

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

Sample Schools

Alexandria

Episcopal High School (Alexandria VA)

Independent (Episcopal) · 9–12 · $65,800/yr

Bishop Ireton High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,400/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 Alexandria breakdown → Full San Francisco breakdown →

Virginia 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.