Private School Cost: Los Angeles vs San Bernardino
San Bernardino averages $13,000/year less for private school (94% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $169,000 per child.
Bottom Line
San Bernardino is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,800/year vs $26,800/year in Los Angeles. Religious schools run $9,000/year on the low end.
Los Angeles
CA
$26,800
avg tuition/year
San Bernardino
CA
$13,800
avg tuition/year
Tuition by School Type & Grade
| Category | Los Angeles | San Bernardino | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Schools (Average) | $26,800/yr | $13,800/yr | +$13,000 |
| Religious Schools | $13,500/yr | $9,000/yr | +$4,500 |
| Independent/Prep | $42,000/yr | $26,800/yr | +$15,200 |
| Elementary (K-5) | $22,000/yr | $11,700/yr | +$10,300 |
| Middle School (6-8) | $26,800/yr | $13,800/yr | +$13,000 |
| High School (9-12) | $32,000/yr | $16,600/yr | +$15,400 |
K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)
Los Angeles
$348,400
San Bernardino
$179,400
Choosing San Bernardino saves $169,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $338,000.
Sample Schools
Los Angeles
Harvard-Westlake School
Independent · 7–12 · $47,890/yr
Crossroads School for Arts & Sciences
Independent · K–12 · $44,370/yr
Marlborough School
Independent · 7–12 · $44,800/yr
St. Monica Catholic School
Catholic · K–8 · $9,200-$11,400/yr
San Bernardino
Our Lady of the Assumption School
Catholic · PK–8 · $8,400-$10,200/yr
San Bernardino Christian School
Christian · K–12 · $7,800-$9,200/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.