Is private school cheaper in Bellevue or San Francisco?

Bellevue has lower average private school tuition at $18,600/year vs $34,200/year in San Francisco. That's $15,600/year less, or $202,800 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Bellevue is $15,600/year less than San Francisco. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $202,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $12,700/year in Bellevue, $16,000/year in San Francisco.

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

Private School Cost: Bellevue vs San Francisco

Bellevue averages $15,600/year less for private school (84% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $202,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Bellevue is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $18,600/year vs $34,200/year in San Francisco. Religious schools run $12,700/year on the low end.

Bellevue

$18,600

avg tuition/year

$6,250 above national avg

Lower cost

San Francisco

$34,200

avg tuition/year

$21,850 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Bellevue	San Francisco	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,600/yr	$34,200/yr	-$15,600
Religious Schools	$12,700/yr	$16,000/yr	-$3,300
Independent/Prep	$39,700/yr	$52,000/yr	-$12,300
Elementary (K-5)	$15,800/yr	$28,000/yr	-$12,200
Middle School (6-8)	$18,600/yr	$34,200/yr	-$15,600
High School (9-12)	$22,300/yr	$42,000/yr	-$19,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Bellevue

$241,800

San Francisco

$444,600

Choosing Bellevue saves $202,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $405,600.

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

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 Bellevue breakdown → Full San Francisco breakdown →

Washington private school costs California private school costs

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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.