Is private school cheaper in Hartford or San Francisco?

Hartford has lower average private school tuition at $28,000/year vs $34,200/year in San Francisco. That's $6,200/year less, or $80,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Hartford is $6,200/year less than San Francisco. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $80,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $15,800/year in Hartford, $16,000/year in San Francisco.

How do Hartford and San Francisco 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 Francisco averages $34,200/year ($21,850 above average).

Private School Cost: Hartford vs San Francisco

Hartford averages $6,200/year less for private school (22% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $80,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Hartford is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $28,000/year vs $34,200/year in San Francisco. Religious schools run $15,800/year on the low end.

Hartford

$28,000

avg tuition/year

$15,650 above national avg

Lower cost

San Francisco

$34,200

avg tuition/year

$21,850 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Hartford	San Francisco	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$28,000/yr	$34,200/yr	-$6,200
Religious Schools	$15,800/yr	$16,000/yr	-$200
Independent/Prep	$44,500/yr	$52,000/yr	-$7,500
Elementary (K-5)	$22,800/yr	$28,000/yr	-$5,200
Middle School (6-8)	$28,000/yr	$34,200/yr	-$6,200
High School (9-12)	$35,000/yr	$42,000/yr	-$7,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Hartford

$364,000

San Francisco

$444,600

Choosing Hartford saves $80,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $161,200.

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 Francisco

San Francisco University High School

Independent · 9–12 · $56,830/yr

The Urban School of San Francisco

Independent · 9–12 · $56,200/yr

Katherine Delmar Burke School

Independent · K–8 · $48,900/yr

St. Ignatius College Preparatory

Catholic · 9–12 · $24,600/yr

Full Hartford breakdown → Full San Francisco breakdown →

Connecticut private school costs California private school costs

Related Comparisons

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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.