Is private school cheaper in Lincoln or Sacramento?

Lincoln has lower average private school tuition at $7,200/year vs $16,000/year in Sacramento. That's $8,800/year less, or $114,400 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Lincoln is $8,800/year less than Sacramento. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $114,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,000/year in Lincoln, $9,800/year in Sacramento.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Lincoln averages $7,200/year ($5,150 below average). Sacramento averages $16,000/year ($3,650 above average).

Private School Cost: Lincoln vs Sacramento

Lincoln averages $8,800/year less for private school (122% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $114,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Lincoln is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,200/year vs $16,000/year in Sacramento. Religious schools run $5,000/year on the low end.

Lincoln

$7,200

avg tuition/year

$5,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Sacramento

$16,000

avg tuition/year

$3,650 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Lincoln	Sacramento	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$7,200/yr	$16,000/yr	-$8,800
Religious Schools	$5,000/yr	$9,800/yr	-$4,800
Independent/Prep	$15,600/yr	$28,500/yr	-$12,900
Elementary (K-5)	$6,100/yr	$13,000/yr	-$6,900
Middle School (6-8)	$7,200/yr	$16,000/yr	-$8,800
High School (9-12)	$8,600/yr	$19,800/yr	-$11,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Lincoln

$93,600

Sacramento

$208,000

Choosing Lincoln saves $114,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $228,800.

Sample Schools

Lincoln

Lincoln Christian High School

Christian · K–12 · $9,600-$11,800/yr

Pius X High School (Lincoln)

Catholic · 9–12 · $8,800/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 Lincoln breakdown → Full Sacramento breakdown →

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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.