Private School Cost: Lafayette vs San Francisco
Lafayette averages $28,000/year less for private school (452% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $364,000 per child.
Bottom Line
Lafayette is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,200/year vs $34,200/year in San Francisco. Religious schools run $4,600/year on the low end.
Lafayette
LA
$6,200
avg tuition/year
San Francisco
CA
$34,200
avg tuition/year
Tuition by School Type & Grade
| Category | Lafayette | San Francisco | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Schools (Average) | $6,200/yr | $34,200/yr | -$28,000 |
| Religious Schools | $4,600/yr | $16,000/yr | -$11,400 |
| Independent/Prep | $14,900/yr | $52,000/yr | -$37,100 |
| Elementary (K-5) | $5,300/yr | $28,000/yr | -$22,700 |
| Middle School (6-8) | $6,200/yr | $34,200/yr | -$28,000 |
| High School (9-12) | $7,400/yr | $42,000/yr | -$34,600 |
K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)
Lafayette
$80,600
San Francisco
$444,600
Choosing Lafayette saves $364,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $728,000.
Sample Schools
Lafayette
Teurlings Catholic High School
Catholic · 9–12 · $9,600/yr
Ascension Episcopal School (Lafayette)
Independent (Episcopal) · PK–12 · $14,800/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
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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.