Private School Cost: Lakewood vs San Francisco
Lakewood averages $20,800/year less for private school (155% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $270,400 per child.
Bottom Line
Lakewood is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,400/year vs $34,200/year in San Francisco. Religious schools run $8,700/year on the low end.
Lakewood
CO
$13,400
avg tuition/year
San Francisco
CA
$34,200
avg tuition/year
Tuition by School Type & Grade
| Category | Lakewood | San Francisco | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Schools (Average) | $13,400/yr | $34,200/yr | -$20,800 |
| Religious Schools | $8,700/yr | $16,000/yr | -$7,300 |
| Independent/Prep | $26,500/yr | $52,000/yr | -$25,500 |
| Elementary (K-5) | $11,400/yr | $28,000/yr | -$16,600 |
| Middle School (6-8) | $13,400/yr | $34,200/yr | -$20,800 |
| High School (9-12) | $16,100/yr | $42,000/yr | -$25,900 |
K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)
Lakewood
$174,200
San Francisco
$444,600
Choosing Lakewood saves $270,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $540,800.
Sample Schools
Lakewood
Colorado Academy (Lakewood area)
Independent · PK–12 · $22,400/yr
Chatfield Christian Academy
Christian · K–12 · $9,800-$12,200/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
Related Comparisons
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.