Is private school cheaper in Austin or San Jose?

Austin has lower average private school tuition at $15,500/year vs $25,200/year in San Jose. That's $9,700/year less, or $126,100 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Austin over San Jose?

Average tuition in Austin is $9,700/year less than San Jose. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $126,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,400/year in Austin, $13,800/year in San Jose.

How do Austin and San Jose private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Austin averages $15,500/year ($3,150 above average). San Jose averages $25,200/year ($12,850 above average).

Private School Cost: Austin vs San Jose

Austin averages $9,700/year less for private school (63% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $126,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Austin is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $15,500/year vs $25,200/year in San Jose. Religious schools run $9,400/year on the low end.

Austin

$15,500

avg tuition/year

$3,150 above national avg

Lower cost

San Jose

$25,200

avg tuition/year

$12,850 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Austin	San Jose	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$15,500/yr	$25,200/yr	-$9,700
Religious Schools	$9,400/yr	$13,800/yr	-$4,400
Independent/Prep	$28,200/yr	$40,500/yr	-$12,300
Elementary (K-5)	$12,800/yr	$20,500/yr	-$7,700
Middle School (6-8)	$15,500/yr	$25,200/yr	-$9,700
High School (9-12)	$19,200/yr	$31,200/yr	-$12,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Austin

$201,500

San Jose

$327,600

Choosing Austin saves $126,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $252,200.

Sample Schools

Austin

St. Andrew's Episcopal School (Austin)

Independent · PK–12 · $32,800-$35,400/yr

Austin Preparatory School

Catholic · 6–12 · $14,200/yr

St. Michael's Catholic Academy

Catholic · 9–12 · $15,800/yr

Hyde Park Baptist School

Christian · PK–12 · $13,400-$15,200/yr

San Jose

Harker School

Independent · K–12 · $48,200-$51,600/yr

Bellarmine College Preparatory

Catholic · 9–12 · $22,800/yr

Archbishop Mitty High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $21,400/yr

Presentation High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $20,800/yr

Full Austin breakdown → Full San Jose breakdown →

Texas private school costs California private school costs

Related Comparisons

Los Angeles vs San Jose → San Francisco vs San Jose → Houston vs Austin → Dallas vs Austin →

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.