Is private school cheaper in Centennial or San Jose?

Centennial has lower average private school tuition at $13,700/year vs $25,200/year in San Jose. That's $11,500/year less, or $149,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Centennial is $11,500/year less than San Jose. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $149,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,900/year in Centennial, $13,800/year in San Jose.

How do Centennial and San Jose private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Centennial averages $13,700/year ($1,350 above average). San Jose averages $25,200/year ($12,850 above average).

Private School Cost: Centennial vs San Jose

Centennial averages $11,500/year less for private school (84% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $149,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Centennial is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,700/year vs $25,200/year in San Jose. Religious schools run $8,900/year on the low end.

Centennial

$13,700

avg tuition/year

$1,350 above national avg

Lower cost

San Jose

$25,200

avg tuition/year

$12,850 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Centennial	San Jose	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$13,700/yr	$25,200/yr	-$11,500
Religious Schools	$8,900/yr	$13,800/yr	-$4,900
Independent/Prep	$27,000/yr	$40,500/yr	-$13,500
Elementary (K-5)	$11,600/yr	$20,500/yr	-$8,900
Middle School (6-8)	$13,700/yr	$25,200/yr	-$11,500
High School (9-12)	$16,400/yr	$31,200/yr	-$14,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Centennial

$178,100

San Jose

$327,600

Choosing Centennial saves $149,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $299,000.

Sample Schools

Centennial

Arapahoe Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $10,400-$12,800/yr

Cherry Creek Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $9,800-$12,200/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 Centennial breakdown → Full San Jose breakdown →

Colorado 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.