Is private school cheaper in Dallas or San Diego?

Dallas has lower average private school tuition at $17,200/year vs $21,200/year in San Diego. That's $4,000/year less, or $52,000 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Dallas is $4,000/year less than San Diego. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $52,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,500/year in Dallas, $11,500/year in San Diego.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Dallas averages $17,200/year ($4,850 above average). San Diego averages $21,200/year ($8,850 above average).

Private School Cost: Dallas vs San Diego

Dallas averages $4,000/year less for private school (23% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $52,000 per child.

Bottom Line

Dallas is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $17,200/year vs $21,200/year in San Diego. Religious schools run $9,500/year on the low end.

Dallas

$17,200

avg tuition/year

$4,850 above national avg

Lower cost

San Diego

$21,200

avg tuition/year

$8,850 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Dallas	San Diego	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$17,200/yr	$21,200/yr	-$4,000
Religious Schools	$9,500/yr	$11,500/yr	-$2,000
Independent/Prep	$30,000/yr	$36,500/yr	-$6,500
Elementary (K-5)	$14,000/yr	$17,500/yr	-$3,500
Middle School (6-8)	$17,200/yr	$21,200/yr	-$4,000
High School (9-12)	$21,000/yr	$26,000/yr	-$5,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Dallas

$223,600

San Diego

$275,600

Choosing Dallas saves $52,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $104,000.

Sample Schools

Dallas

Greenhill School

Independent · PK–12 · $38,400-$41,200/yr

St. Mark's School of Texas

Independent · 1–12 · $38,200/yr

Hockaday School

Independent · PK–12 · $39,800/yr

Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas

Catholic · 9–12 · $21,800/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 Dallas breakdown → Full San Diego breakdown →

Texas private school costs California private school costs

Related Comparisons

Los Angeles vs San Diego → Houston vs Dallas → Dallas vs Austin → Dallas vs San Antonio →

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.