Is private school cheaper in Jersey City or Sacramento?

Sacramento has lower average private school tuition at $16,000/year vs $20,900/year in Jersey City. That's $4,900/year less, or $63,700 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Sacramento over Jersey City?

Average tuition in Sacramento is $4,900/year less than Jersey City. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $63,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $13,500/year in Jersey City, $9,800/year in Sacramento.

How do Jersey City and Sacramento private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Jersey City averages $20,900/year ($8,550 above average). Sacramento averages $16,000/year ($3,650 above average).

Private School Cost: Jersey City vs Sacramento

Sacramento averages $4,900/year less for private school (31% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $63,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Sacramento is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $16,000/year vs $20,900/year in Jersey City. Religious schools run $9,800/year on the low end.

Jersey City

$20,900

avg tuition/year

$8,550 above national avg

Sacramento

$16,000

avg tuition/year

$3,650 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Jersey City	Sacramento	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$20,900/yr	$16,000/yr	+$4,900
Religious Schools	$13,500/yr	$9,800/yr	+$3,700
Independent/Prep	$44,800/yr	$28,500/yr	+$16,300
Elementary (K-5)	$17,800/yr	$13,000/yr	+$4,800
Middle School (6-8)	$20,900/yr	$16,000/yr	+$4,900
High School (9-12)	$25,100/yr	$19,800/yr	+$5,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Jersey City

$271,700

Sacramento

$208,000

Choosing Sacramento saves $63,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $127,400.

Sample Schools

Jersey City

Hudson Catholic Regional High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Saint Aloysius Academy (Jersey City)

Catholic · K–8 · $10,800-$12,800/yr

Sacramento

Sacramento Country Day School

Independent · PK–12 · $29,800-$32,400/yr

Christian Brothers High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,800/yr

Jesuit High School (Sacramento)

Catholic · 9–12 · $19,400/yr

St. Francis High School (Sacramento)

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,200/yr

Full Jersey City breakdown → Full Sacramento breakdown →

New Jersey private school costs California 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.