Is private school cheaper in Carlsbad or Dayton?

Dayton has lower average private school tuition at $8,100/year vs $18,800/year in Carlsbad. That's $10,700/year less, or $139,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Dayton is $10,700/year less than Carlsbad. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $139,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $12,200/year in Carlsbad, $5,700/year in Dayton.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Carlsbad averages $18,800/year ($6,450 above average). Dayton averages $8,100/year ($4,250 below average).

Private School Cost: Carlsbad vs Dayton

Dayton averages $10,700/year less for private school (132% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $139,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Dayton is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,100/year vs $18,800/year in Carlsbad. Religious schools run $5,700/year on the low end.

Carlsbad

$18,800

avg tuition/year

$6,450 above national avg

Dayton

$8,100

avg tuition/year

$4,250 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Carlsbad	Dayton	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,800/yr	$8,100/yr	+$10,700
Religious Schools	$12,200/yr	$5,700/yr	+$6,500
Independent/Prep	$36,600/yr	$18,700/yr	+$17,900
Elementary (K-5)	$16,000/yr	$6,900/yr	+$9,100
Middle School (6-8)	$18,800/yr	$8,100/yr	+$10,700
High School (9-12)	$22,600/yr	$9,700/yr	+$12,900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Carlsbad

$244,400

Dayton

$105,300

Choosing Dayton saves $139,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $278,200.

Sample Schools

Carlsbad

Army Navy Academy (Carlsbad)

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

Pacific Ridge School

Independent · 6–12 · $34,200/yr

Dayton

Chaminade Julienne Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $11,400/yr

Dayton Christian Schools

Christian · K–12 · $9,600-$12,000/yr

Full Carlsbad breakdown → Full Dayton breakdown →

California private school costs Ohio 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.