Is private school cheaper in Los Angeles or Santa Clarita?

Santa Clarita has lower average private school tuition at $18,000/year vs $26,800/year in Los Angeles. That's $8,800/year less, or $114,400 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Santa Clarita over Los Angeles?

Average tuition in Santa Clarita is $8,800/year less than Los Angeles. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $114,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $13,500/year in Los Angeles, $11,700/year in Santa Clarita.

How do Los Angeles and Santa Clarita 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). Santa Clarita averages $18,000/year ($5,650 above average).

Private School Cost: Los Angeles vs Santa Clarita

Santa Clarita averages $8,800/year less for private school (49% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $114,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Santa Clarita is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $18,000/year vs $26,800/year in Los Angeles. Religious schools run $11,700/year on the low end.

Los Angeles

$26,800

avg tuition/year

$14,450 above national avg

Santa Clarita

$18,000

avg tuition/year

$5,650 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Los Angeles	Santa Clarita	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$26,800/yr	$18,000/yr	+$8,800
Religious Schools	$13,500/yr	$11,700/yr	+$1,800
Independent/Prep	$42,000/yr	$35,100/yr	+$6,900
Elementary (K-5)	$22,000/yr	$15,300/yr	+$6,700
Middle School (6-8)	$26,800/yr	$18,000/yr	+$8,800
High School (9-12)	$32,000/yr	$21,600/yr	+$10,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Los Angeles

$348,400

Santa Clarita

$234,000

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

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

Santa Clarita

The Masters School (Santa Clarita)

Christian · K–12 · $14,800/yr

West Ranch Academy

Independent · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

Full Los Angeles breakdown → Full Santa Clarita breakdown →

California private school costs

Related Comparisons

Los Angeles vs San Francisco → Los Angeles vs San Diego → Los Angeles 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.