Is private school cheaper in Fontana or Pasadena?

Pasadena has lower average private school tuition at $11,200/year vs $14,900/year in Fontana. That's $3,700/year less, or $48,100 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Pasadena over Fontana?

Average tuition in Pasadena is $3,700/year less than Fontana. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $48,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,700/year in Fontana, $7,600/year in Pasadena.

How do Fontana and Pasadena private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Fontana averages $14,900/year ($2,550 above average). Pasadena averages $11,200/year ($1,150 below average).

Private School Cost: Fontana vs Pasadena

Pasadena averages $3,700/year less for private school (33% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $48,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Pasadena is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,200/year vs $14,900/year in Fontana. Religious schools run $7,600/year on the low end.

Fontana

$14,900

avg tuition/year

$2,550 above national avg

Pasadena

$11,200

avg tuition/year

$1,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Fontana	Pasadena	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$14,900/yr	$11,200/yr	+$3,700
Religious Schools	$9,700/yr	$7,600/yr	+$2,100
Independent/Prep	$29,000/yr	$23,700/yr	+$5,300
Elementary (K-5)	$12,700/yr	$9,500/yr	+$3,200
Middle School (6-8)	$14,900/yr	$11,200/yr	+$3,700
High School (9-12)	$17,900/yr	$13,400/yr	+$4,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Fontana

$193,700

Pasadena

$145,600

Choosing Pasadena saves $48,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $96,200.

Sample Schools

Fontana

Fontana Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $8,400-$10,800/yr

St. Joseph School (Fontana)

Catholic · K–8 · $7,600-$9,200/yr

Pasadena

San Jacinto Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $8,400-$10,200/yr

Blessed Sacrament School (Pasadena)

Catholic · K–8 · $7,800-$9,400/yr

Full Fontana breakdown → Full Pasadena breakdown →

California private school costs Texas private school costs

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.