Is private school cheaper in Los Angeles or San Jose?

San Jose has lower average private school tuition at $25,200/year vs $26,800/year in Los Angeles. That's $1,600/year less, or $20,800 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in San Jose is $1,600/year less than Los Angeles. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $20,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $13,500/year in Los Angeles, $13,800/year in San Jose.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Los Angeles averages $26,800/year ($14,450 above average). San Jose averages $25,200/year ($12,850 above average).

Private School Cost: Los Angeles vs San Jose

San Jose averages $1,600/year less for private school (6% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $20,800 per child.

Bottom Line

San Jose is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $25,200/year vs $26,800/year in Los Angeles. Religious schools run $13,500/year on the low end.

Los Angeles

$26,800

avg tuition/year

$14,450 above national avg

San Jose

$25,200

avg tuition/year

$12,850 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Los Angeles	San Jose	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$26,800/yr	$25,200/yr	+$1,600
Religious Schools	$13,500/yr	$13,800/yr	-$300
Independent/Prep	$42,000/yr	$40,500/yr	+$1,500
Elementary (K-5)	$22,000/yr	$20,500/yr	+$1,500
Middle School (6-8)	$26,800/yr	$25,200/yr	+$1,600
High School (9-12)	$32,000/yr	$31,200/yr	+$800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Los Angeles

$348,400

San Jose

$327,600

Choosing San Jose saves $20,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $41,600.

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 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 Los Angeles breakdown → Full San Jose breakdown →

California private school costs

Related Comparisons

Los Angeles vs San Francisco → Los Angeles vs San Diego → San Francisco vs San Jose → Irvine vs Los Angeles →

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.