Is private school cheaper in Hartford or San Jose?

San Jose has lower average private school tuition at $25,200/year vs $28,000/year in Hartford. That's $2,800/year less, or $36,400 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in San Jose is $2,800/year less than Hartford. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $36,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $15,800/year in Hartford, $13,800/year in San Jose.

How do Hartford and San Jose 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 Jose averages $25,200/year ($12,850 above average).

Private School Cost: Hartford vs San Jose

San Jose averages $2,800/year less for private school (11% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $36,400 per child.

Bottom Line

San Jose is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $25,200/year vs $28,000/year in Hartford. Religious schools run $13,800/year on the low end.

Hartford

$28,000

avg tuition/year

$15,650 above national avg

San Jose

$25,200

avg tuition/year

$12,850 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Hartford	San Jose	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$28,000/yr	$25,200/yr	+$2,800
Religious Schools	$15,800/yr	$13,800/yr	+$2,000
Independent/Prep	$44,500/yr	$40,500/yr	+$4,000
Elementary (K-5)	$22,800/yr	$20,500/yr	+$2,300
Middle School (6-8)	$28,000/yr	$25,200/yr	+$2,800
High School (9-12)	$35,000/yr	$31,200/yr	+$3,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Hartford

$364,000

San Jose

$327,600

Choosing San Jose saves $36,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $72,800.

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 Jose

Harker School

Independent · K–12 · $48,200-$51,600/yr

Bellarmine College Preparatory

Catholic · 9–12 · $22,800/yr

Archbishop Mitty High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $21,400/yr

Presentation High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $20,800/yr

Full Hartford breakdown → Full San Jose breakdown →

Connecticut private school costs California private school costs

Related Comparisons

Los Angeles vs San Jose → San Francisco vs San Jose →

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.