Private School Cost: Cambridge vs Santa Clarita
Santa Clarita averages $14,000/year less for private school (78% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $182,000 per child.
Bottom Line
Santa Clarita is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $18,000/year vs $32,000/year in Cambridge. Religious schools run $11,700/year on the low end.
Cambridge
MA
$32,000
avg tuition/year
Santa Clarita
CA
$18,000
avg tuition/year
Tuition by School Type & Grade
| Category | Cambridge | Santa Clarita | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Schools (Average) | $32,000/yr | $18,000/yr | +$14,000 |
| Religious Schools | $17,300/yr | $11,700/yr | +$5,600 |
| Independent/Prep | $65,000/yr | $35,100/yr | +$29,900 |
| Elementary (K-5) | $27,200/yr | $15,300/yr | +$11,900 |
| Middle School (6-8) | $32,000/yr | $18,000/yr | +$14,000 |
| High School (9-12) | $38,400/yr | $21,600/yr | +$16,800 |
K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)
Cambridge
$416,000
Santa Clarita
$234,000
Choosing Santa Clarita saves $182,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $364,000.
Sample Schools
Cambridge
Cambridge School of Weston
Independent · 9–12 · $59,400/yr
Buckingham Browne & Nichols School
Independent · PK–12 · $58,800/yr
Santa Clarita
The Masters School (Santa Clarita)
Christian · K–12 · $14,800/yr
West Ranch Academy
Independent · 9–12 · $12,400/yr
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.