Is private school cheaper in Hartford or San Diego?

San Diego has lower average private school tuition at $21,200/year vs $28,000/year in Hartford. That's $6,800/year less, or $88,400 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in San Diego is $6,800/year less than Hartford. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $88,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $15,800/year in Hartford, $11,500/year in San Diego.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Hartford averages $28,000/year ($15,650 above average). San Diego averages $21,200/year ($8,850 above average).

Private School Cost: Hartford vs San Diego

San Diego averages $6,800/year less for private school (32% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $88,400 per child.

Bottom Line

San Diego is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $21,200/year vs $28,000/year in Hartford. Religious schools run $11,500/year on the low end.

Hartford

$28,000

avg tuition/year

$15,650 above national avg

San Diego

$21,200

avg tuition/year

$8,850 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Hartford	San Diego	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$28,000/yr	$21,200/yr	+$6,800
Religious Schools	$15,800/yr	$11,500/yr	+$4,300
Independent/Prep	$44,500/yr	$36,500/yr	+$8,000
Elementary (K-5)	$22,800/yr	$17,500/yr	+$5,300
Middle School (6-8)	$28,000/yr	$21,200/yr	+$6,800
High School (9-12)	$35,000/yr	$26,000/yr	+$9,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Hartford

$364,000

San Diego

$275,600

Choosing San Diego saves $88,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $176,800.

Sample Schools

Hartford

Kingswood Oxford School

Independent · 6–12 · $44,800-$47,200/yr

Loomis Chaffee School

Independent (Day) · 9–12 · $48,200/yr

Watkinson School

Independent · 6–12 · $36,800/yr

Northwest Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,800/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 Hartford breakdown → Full San Diego breakdown →

Connecticut private school costs California private school costs

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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.