Is private school cheaper in Cambridge or Sacramento?

Sacramento has lower average private school tuition at $16,000/year vs $32,000/year in Cambridge. That's $16,000/year less, or $208,000 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Sacramento over Cambridge?

Average tuition in Sacramento is $16,000/year less than Cambridge. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $208,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $17,300/year in Cambridge, $9,800/year in Sacramento.

How do Cambridge and Sacramento private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Cambridge averages $32,000/year ($19,650 above average). Sacramento averages $16,000/year ($3,650 above average).

Private School Cost: Cambridge vs Sacramento

Sacramento averages $16,000/year less for private school (100% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $208,000 per child.

Bottom Line

Sacramento is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $16,000/year vs $32,000/year in Cambridge. Religious schools run $9,800/year on the low end.

Cambridge

$32,000

avg tuition/year

$19,650 above national avg

Sacramento

$16,000

avg tuition/year

$3,650 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Cambridge	Sacramento	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$32,000/yr	$16,000/yr	+$16,000
Religious Schools	$17,300/yr	$9,800/yr	+$7,500
Independent/Prep	$65,000/yr	$28,500/yr	+$36,500
Elementary (K-5)	$27,200/yr	$13,000/yr	+$14,200
Middle School (6-8)	$32,000/yr	$16,000/yr	+$16,000
High School (9-12)	$38,400/yr	$19,800/yr	+$18,600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Cambridge

$416,000

Sacramento

$208,000

Choosing Sacramento saves $208,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $416,000.

Sample Schools

Cambridge

Cambridge School of Weston

Independent · 9–12 · $59,400/yr

Buckingham Browne & Nichols School

Independent · PK–12 · $58,800/yr

Sacramento

Sacramento Country Day School

Independent · PK–12 · $29,800-$32,400/yr

Christian Brothers High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,800/yr

Jesuit High School (Sacramento)

Catholic · 9–12 · $19,400/yr

St. Francis High School (Sacramento)

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,200/yr

Full Cambridge breakdown → Full Sacramento breakdown →

Massachusetts 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.