Is private school cheaper in Fontana or Salem?

Salem has lower average private school tuition at $12,400/year vs $14,900/year in Fontana. That's $2,500/year less, or $32,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Salem is $2,500/year less than Fontana. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $32,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,700/year in Fontana, $8,400/year in Salem.

How do Fontana and Salem 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). Salem averages $12,400/year ($50 above average).

Private School Cost: Fontana vs Salem

Salem averages $2,500/year less for private school (20% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $32,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Salem is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $12,400/year vs $14,900/year in Fontana. Religious schools run $8,400/year on the low end.

Fontana

$14,900

avg tuition/year

$2,550 above national avg

Salem

$12,400

avg tuition/year

$50 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Fontana	Salem	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$14,900/yr	$12,400/yr	+$2,500
Religious Schools	$9,700/yr	$8,400/yr	+$1,300
Independent/Prep	$29,000/yr	$25,000/yr	+$4,000
Elementary (K-5)	$12,700/yr	$10,500/yr	+$2,200
Middle School (6-8)	$14,900/yr	$12,400/yr	+$2,500
High School (9-12)	$17,900/yr	$14,900/yr	+$3,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Fontana

$193,700

Salem

$161,200

Choosing Salem saves $32,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $65,000.

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

Salem

Salem Academy (OR)

Christian · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Blanchet Catholic School (Salem)

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

Full Fontana breakdown → Full Salem breakdown →

California private school costs Oregon 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.