Is private school cheaper in Cedar Rapids or Sacramento?

Cedar Rapids has lower average private school tuition at $6,800/year vs $16,000/year in Sacramento. That's $9,200/year less, or $119,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Cedar Rapids is $9,200/year less than Sacramento. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $119,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $4,800/year in Cedar Rapids, $9,800/year in Sacramento.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Cedar Rapids averages $6,800/year ($5,550 below average). Sacramento averages $16,000/year ($3,650 above average).

Private School Cost: Cedar Rapids vs Sacramento

Cedar Rapids averages $9,200/year less for private school (135% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $119,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Cedar Rapids is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,800/year vs $16,000/year in Sacramento. Religious schools run $4,800/year on the low end.

Cedar Rapids

$6,800

avg tuition/year

$5,550 below national avg

Lower cost

Sacramento

$16,000

avg tuition/year

$3,650 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Cedar Rapids	Sacramento	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$6,800/yr	$16,000/yr	-$9,200
Religious Schools	$4,800/yr	$9,800/yr	-$5,000
Independent/Prep	$14,300/yr	$28,500/yr	-$14,200
Elementary (K-5)	$5,800/yr	$13,000/yr	-$7,200
Middle School (6-8)	$6,800/yr	$16,000/yr	-$9,200
High School (9-12)	$8,200/yr	$19,800/yr	-$11,600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Cedar Rapids

$88,400

Sacramento

$208,000

Choosing Cedar Rapids saves $119,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $239,200.

Sample Schools

Cedar Rapids

Xavier High School (Cedar Rapids)

Catholic · 9–12 · $9,400/yr

Cedar Rapids Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $8,400-$10,400/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 Cedar Rapids breakdown → Full Sacramento breakdown →

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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.