Is private school cheaper in Elk Grove or San Jose?

Elk Grove has lower average private school tuition at $16,500/year vs $25,200/year in San Jose. That's $8,700/year less, or $113,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Elk Grove is $8,700/year less than San Jose. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $113,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $10,700/year in Elk Grove, $13,800/year in San Jose.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Elk Grove averages $16,500/year ($4,150 above average). San Jose averages $25,200/year ($12,850 above average).

Private School Cost: Elk Grove vs San Jose

Elk Grove averages $8,700/year less for private school (53% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $113,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Elk Grove is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $16,500/year vs $25,200/year in San Jose. Religious schools run $10,700/year on the low end.

Elk Grove

$16,500

avg tuition/year

$4,150 above national avg

Lower cost

San Jose

$25,200

avg tuition/year

$12,850 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Elk Grove	San Jose	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$16,500/yr	$25,200/yr	-$8,700
Religious Schools	$10,700/yr	$13,800/yr	-$3,100
Independent/Prep	$32,000/yr	$40,500/yr	-$8,500
Elementary (K-5)	$14,000/yr	$20,500/yr	-$6,500
Middle School (6-8)	$16,500/yr	$25,200/yr	-$8,700
High School (9-12)	$19,800/yr	$31,200/yr	-$11,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Elk Grove

$214,500

San Jose

$327,600

Choosing Elk Grove saves $113,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $226,200.

Sample Schools

Elk Grove

Laguna Creek Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

Father Keith B. Kenny School

Catholic · K–8 · $8,400-$10,200/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 Elk Grove breakdown → Full San Jose breakdown →

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.