Is private school cheaper in Colorado Springs or San Diego?

Colorado Springs has lower average private school tuition at $13,100/year vs $21,200/year in San Diego. That's $8,100/year less, or $105,300 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Colorado Springs is $8,100/year less than San Diego. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $105,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,500/year in Colorado Springs, $11,500/year in San Diego.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Colorado Springs averages $13,100/year ($750 above average). San Diego averages $21,200/year ($8,850 above average).

Private School Cost: Colorado Springs vs San Diego

Colorado Springs averages $8,100/year less for private school (62% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $105,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Colorado Springs is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,100/year vs $21,200/year in San Diego. Religious schools run $8,500/year on the low end.

Colorado Springs

$13,100

avg tuition/year

$750 above national avg

Lower cost

San Diego

$21,200

avg tuition/year

$8,850 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Colorado Springs	San Diego	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$13,100/yr	$21,200/yr	-$8,100
Religious Schools	$8,500/yr	$11,500/yr	-$3,000
Independent/Prep	$25,700/yr	$36,500/yr	-$10,800
Elementary (K-5)	$11,100/yr	$17,500/yr	-$6,400
Middle School (6-8)	$13,100/yr	$21,200/yr	-$8,100
High School (9-12)	$15,700/yr	$26,000/yr	-$10,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Colorado Springs

$170,300

San Diego

$275,600

Choosing Colorado Springs saves $105,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $210,600.

Sample Schools

Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $11,200-$14,400/yr

Cheyenne Mountain School District 12 (Private Prep)

Independent · K–12 · $12,800/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 Colorado Springs breakdown → Full San Diego breakdown →

Colorado 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.