Is private school cheaper in Bellevue or Carlsbad?

Bellevue has lower average private school tuition at $18,600/year vs $18,800/year in Carlsbad. That's $200/year less, or $2,600 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Bellevue over Carlsbad?

Average tuition in Bellevue is $200/year less than Carlsbad. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $2,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $12,700/year in Bellevue, $12,200/year in Carlsbad.

How do Bellevue and Carlsbad private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Bellevue averages $18,600/year ($6,250 above average). Carlsbad averages $18,800/year ($6,450 above average).

Private School Cost: Bellevue vs Carlsbad

Bellevue averages $200/year less for private school (1% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $2,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Bellevue is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $18,600/year vs $18,800/year in Carlsbad. Religious schools run $12,200/year on the low end.

Bellevue

$18,600

avg tuition/year

$6,250 above national avg

Lower cost

Carlsbad

$18,800

avg tuition/year

$6,450 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Bellevue	Carlsbad	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,600/yr	$18,800/yr	-$200
Religious Schools	$12,700/yr	$12,200/yr	+$500
Independent/Prep	$39,700/yr	$36,600/yr	+$3,100
Elementary (K-5)	$15,800/yr	$16,000/yr	-$200
Middle School (6-8)	$18,600/yr	$18,800/yr	-$200
High School (9-12)	$22,300/yr	$22,600/yr	-$300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Bellevue

$241,800

Carlsbad

$244,400

Choosing Bellevue saves $2,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $5,200.

Sample Schools

Bellevue

The Overlake School

Independent · 5–12 · $37,800/yr

Bellevue Christian School

Christian · PK–12 · $14,200/yr

Bellarmine Preparatory School (Tacoma)

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,400/yr

Carlsbad

Army Navy Academy (Carlsbad)

Independent (Military) · 7–12 · $47,500-$52,000/yr

Pacific Ridge School

Independent · 6–12 · $34,200/yr

Full Bellevue breakdown → Full Carlsbad breakdown →

Washington private school costs California private school costs

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.