Is private school cheaper in Fresno or San Diego?

Fresno has lower average private school tuition at $10,500/year vs $21,200/year in San Diego. That's $10,700/year less, or $139,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Fresno is $10,700/year less than San Diego. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $139,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,000/year in Fresno, $11,500/year in San Diego.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Fresno averages $10,500/year ($1,850 below average). San Diego averages $21,200/year ($8,850 above average).

Private School Cost: Fresno vs San Diego

Fresno averages $10,700/year less for private school (102% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $139,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Fresno is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,500/year vs $21,200/year in San Diego. Religious schools run $7,000/year on the low end.

Fresno

$10,500

avg tuition/year

$1,850 below national avg

Lower cost

San Diego

$21,200

avg tuition/year

$8,850 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Fresno	San Diego	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$10,500/yr	$21,200/yr	-$10,700
Religious Schools	$7,000/yr	$11,500/yr	-$4,500
Independent/Prep	$19,500/yr	$36,500/yr	-$17,000
Elementary (K-5)	$8,600/yr	$17,500/yr	-$8,900
Middle School (6-8)	$10,500/yr	$21,200/yr	-$10,700
High School (9-12)	$12,900/yr	$26,000/yr	-$13,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Fresno

$136,500

San Diego

$275,600

Choosing Fresno saves $139,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $278,200.

Sample Schools

Fresno

Clovis Christian Schools

Christian · K–12 · $9,200-$10,800/yr

Central High School (Fresno) (Catholic)

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,800/yr

Bullard Talent School

Magnet (Free) · K–8

Fresno Christian Schools

Christian · K–12 · $9,800-$11,400/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 Fresno breakdown → Full San Diego breakdown →

California private school costs

Related Comparisons

Los Angeles vs San Diego →

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.