Is private school cheaper in Atlanta or San Francisco?

Atlanta has lower average private school tuition at $15,200/year vs $34,200/year in San Francisco. That's $19,000/year less, or $247,000 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Atlanta is $19,000/year less than San Francisco. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $247,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,400/year in Atlanta, $16,000/year in San Francisco.

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

Private School Cost: Atlanta vs San Francisco

Atlanta averages $19,000/year less for private school (125% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $247,000 per child.

Bottom Line

Atlanta is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $15,200/year vs $34,200/year in San Francisco. Religious schools run $9,400/year on the low end.

Atlanta

$15,200

avg tuition/year

$2,850 above national avg

Lower cost

San Francisco

$34,200

avg tuition/year

$21,850 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Atlanta	San Francisco	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$15,200/yr	$34,200/yr	-$19,000
Religious Schools	$9,400/yr	$16,000/yr	-$6,600
Independent/Prep	$28,500/yr	$52,000/yr	-$23,500
Elementary (K-5)	$12,500/yr	$28,000/yr	-$15,500
Middle School (6-8)	$15,200/yr	$34,200/yr	-$19,000
High School (9-12)	$18,800/yr	$42,000/yr	-$23,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Atlanta

$197,600

San Francisco

$444,600

Choosing Atlanta saves $247,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $494,000.

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

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 Atlanta breakdown → Full San Francisco breakdown →

Georgia private school costs California private school costs

Related Comparisons

Los Angeles vs San Francisco → San Francisco vs San Jose → Atlanta vs Charlotte → Nashville 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.