Is private school cheaper in Anchorage or San Diego?

Anchorage has lower average private school tuition at $11,900/year vs $21,200/year in San Diego. That's $9,300/year less, or $120,900 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Anchorage over San Diego?

Average tuition in Anchorage is $9,300/year less than San Diego. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $120,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,900/year in Anchorage, $11,500/year in San Diego.

How do Anchorage and San Diego private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Anchorage averages $11,900/year ($450 below average). San Diego averages $21,200/year ($8,850 above average).

Private School Cost: Anchorage vs San Diego

Anchorage averages $9,300/year less for private school (78% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $120,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Anchorage is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,900/year vs $21,200/year in San Diego. Religious schools run $7,900/year on the low end.

Anchorage

$11,900

avg tuition/year

$450 below national avg

Lower cost

San Diego

$21,200

avg tuition/year

$8,850 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Anchorage	San Diego	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,900/yr	$21,200/yr	-$9,300
Religious Schools	$7,900/yr	$11,500/yr	-$3,600
Independent/Prep	$21,500/yr	$36,500/yr	-$15,000
Elementary (K-5)	$10,100/yr	$17,500/yr	-$7,400
Middle School (6-8)	$11,900/yr	$21,200/yr	-$9,300
High School (9-12)	$14,300/yr	$26,000/yr	-$11,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Anchorage

$154,700

San Diego

$275,600

Choosing Anchorage saves $120,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $241,800.

Sample Schools

Anchorage

Pacific Northern Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $14,800/yr

Holy Rosary Academy (Anchorage)

Catholic · PK–8 · $9,600-$11,800/yr

San Diego

Bishop's School

Independent · 7–12 · $43,200/yr

La Jolla Country Day School

Independent · PK–12 · $38,800-$41,200/yr

Francis Parker School

Independent · K–12 · $36,400-$38,800/yr

Cathedral Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $19,800/yr

Full Anchorage breakdown → Full San Diego breakdown →

Alaska private school costs California private school costs

Related Comparisons

Los Angeles vs San Diego →

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.