Is private school cheaper in Cleveland or San Diego?

Cleveland has lower average private school tuition at $11,200/year vs $21,200/year in San Diego. That's $10,000/year less, or $130,000 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Cleveland over San Diego?

Average tuition in Cleveland is $10,000/year less than San Diego. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $130,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,400/year in Cleveland, $11,500/year in San Diego.

How do Cleveland and San Diego private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Cleveland averages $11,200/year ($1,150 below average). San Diego averages $21,200/year ($8,850 above average).

Private School Cost: Cleveland vs San Diego

Cleveland averages $10,000/year less for private school (89% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $130,000 per child.

Bottom Line

Cleveland is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,200/year vs $21,200/year in San Diego. Religious schools run $7,400/year on the low end.

Cleveland

$11,200

avg tuition/year

$1,150 below national avg

Lower cost

San Diego

$21,200

avg tuition/year

$8,850 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Cleveland	San Diego	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,200/yr	$21,200/yr	-$10,000
Religious Schools	$7,400/yr	$11,500/yr	-$4,100
Independent/Prep	$21,000/yr	$36,500/yr	-$15,500
Elementary (K-5)	$9,200/yr	$17,500/yr	-$8,300
Middle School (6-8)	$11,200/yr	$21,200/yr	-$10,000
High School (9-12)	$13,800/yr	$26,000/yr	-$12,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Cleveland

$145,600

San Diego

$275,600

Choosing Cleveland saves $130,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $260,000.

Sample Schools

Cleveland

University School (Cleveland)

Independent · JK–12 · $26,400-$28,800/yr

Laurel School (Cleveland)

Independent · PK–12 · $24,800-$27,200/yr

St. Ignatius High School (Cleveland)

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,800/yr

St. Edward High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,200/yr

San Diego

Bishop's School

Independent · 7–12 · $43,200/yr

La Jolla Country Day School

Independent · PK–12 · $38,800-$41,200/yr

Francis Parker School

Independent · K–12 · $36,400-$38,800/yr

Cathedral Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $19,800/yr

Full Cleveland breakdown → Full San Diego breakdown →

Ohio private school costs California private school costs

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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.