Is private school cheaper in Bellevue or San Jose?

Bellevue has lower average private school tuition at $18,600/year vs $25,200/year in San Jose. That's $6,600/year less, or $85,800 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Bellevue is $6,600/year less than San Jose. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $85,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $12,700/year in Bellevue, $13,800/year in San Jose.

How do Bellevue and San Jose 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 Jose averages $25,200/year ($12,850 above average).

Private School Cost: Bellevue vs San Jose

Bellevue averages $6,600/year less for private school (35% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $85,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Bellevue is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $18,600/year vs $25,200/year in San Jose. Religious schools run $12,700/year on the low end.

Bellevue

$18,600

avg tuition/year

$6,250 above national avg

Lower cost

San Jose

$25,200

avg tuition/year

$12,850 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Bellevue	San Jose	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,600/yr	$25,200/yr	-$6,600
Religious Schools	$12,700/yr	$13,800/yr	-$1,100
Independent/Prep	$39,700/yr	$40,500/yr	-$800
Elementary (K-5)	$15,800/yr	$20,500/yr	-$4,700
Middle School (6-8)	$18,600/yr	$25,200/yr	-$6,600
High School (9-12)	$22,300/yr	$31,200/yr	-$8,900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Bellevue

$241,800

San Jose

$327,600

Choosing Bellevue saves $85,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $171,600.

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 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 Bellevue breakdown → Full San Jose breakdown →

Washington private school costs California private school costs

Related Comparisons

Los Angeles vs San Jose → San Francisco vs San Jose →

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.