Is private school cheaper in Lafayette or San Jose?

Lafayette has lower average private school tuition at $6,200/year vs $25,200/year in San Jose. That's $19,000/year less, or $247,000 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Lafayette is $19,000/year less than San Jose. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $247,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $4,600/year in Lafayette, $13,800/year in San Jose.

How do Lafayette and San Jose private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Lafayette averages $6,200/year ($6,150 below average). San Jose averages $25,200/year ($12,850 above average).

Private School Cost: Lafayette vs San Jose

Lafayette averages $19,000/year less for private school (306% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $247,000 per child.

Bottom Line

Lafayette is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,200/year vs $25,200/year in San Jose. Religious schools run $4,600/year on the low end.

Lafayette

$6,200

avg tuition/year

$6,150 below national avg

Lower cost

San Jose

$25,200

avg tuition/year

$12,850 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Lafayette	San Jose	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$6,200/yr	$25,200/yr	-$19,000
Religious Schools	$4,600/yr	$13,800/yr	-$9,200
Independent/Prep	$14,900/yr	$40,500/yr	-$25,600
Elementary (K-5)	$5,300/yr	$20,500/yr	-$15,200
Middle School (6-8)	$6,200/yr	$25,200/yr	-$19,000
High School (9-12)	$7,400/yr	$31,200/yr	-$23,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Lafayette

$80,600

San Jose

$327,600

Choosing Lafayette saves $247,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $494,000.

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 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 Lafayette breakdown → Full San Jose breakdown →

Louisiana 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.