Is private school cheaper in Atlanta or Pasadena?

Pasadena has lower average private school tuition at $11,200/year vs $15,200/year in Atlanta. That's $4,000/year less, or $52,000 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Pasadena is $4,000/year less than Atlanta. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $52,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,400/year in Atlanta, $7,600/year in Pasadena.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Atlanta averages $15,200/year ($2,850 above average). Pasadena averages $11,200/year ($1,150 below average).

Private School Cost: Atlanta vs Pasadena

Pasadena averages $4,000/year less for private school (36% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $52,000 per child.

Bottom Line

Pasadena is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,200/year vs $15,200/year in Atlanta. Religious schools run $7,600/year on the low end.

Atlanta

$15,200

avg tuition/year

$2,850 above national avg

Pasadena

$11,200

avg tuition/year

$1,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Atlanta	Pasadena	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$15,200/yr	$11,200/yr	+$4,000
Religious Schools	$9,400/yr	$7,600/yr	+$1,800
Independent/Prep	$28,500/yr	$23,700/yr	+$4,800
Elementary (K-5)	$12,500/yr	$9,500/yr	+$3,000
Middle School (6-8)	$15,200/yr	$11,200/yr	+$4,000
High School (9-12)	$18,800/yr	$13,400/yr	+$5,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Atlanta

$197,600

Pasadena

$145,600

Choosing Pasadena saves $52,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $104,000.

Sample Schools

Atlanta

The Westminster Schools

Independent · 1–12 · $35,800-$38,400/yr

Pace Academy

Independent · K–12 · $34,200/yr

Lovett School

Independent · K–12 · $33,600/yr

Marist School Atlanta

Catholic · 7–12 · $19,400/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 Atlanta breakdown → Full Pasadena breakdown →

Georgia private school costs Texas private school costs

Related Comparisons

Atlanta vs Charlotte → Nashville vs Atlanta → Washington DC vs Atlanta →

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.