Is private school cheaper in Lowell or San Francisco?

Lowell has lower average private school tuition at $23,600/year vs $34,200/year in San Francisco. That's $10,600/year less, or $137,800 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Lowell over San Francisco?

Average tuition in Lowell is $10,600/year less than San Francisco. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $137,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $12,800/year in Lowell, $16,000/year in San Francisco.

How do Lowell and San Francisco private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Lowell averages $23,600/year ($11,250 above average). San Francisco averages $34,200/year ($21,850 above average).

Private School Cost: Lowell vs San Francisco

Lowell averages $10,600/year less for private school (45% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $137,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Lowell is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $23,600/year vs $34,200/year in San Francisco. Religious schools run $12,800/year on the low end.

Lowell

$23,600

avg tuition/year

$11,250 above national avg

Lower cost

San Francisco

$34,200

avg tuition/year

$21,850 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Lowell	San Francisco	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$23,600/yr	$34,200/yr	-$10,600
Religious Schools	$12,800/yr	$16,000/yr	-$3,200
Independent/Prep	$48,100/yr	$52,000/yr	-$3,900
Elementary (K-5)	$20,100/yr	$28,000/yr	-$7,900
Middle School (6-8)	$23,600/yr	$34,200/yr	-$10,600
High School (9-12)	$28,300/yr	$42,000/yr	-$13,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Lowell

$306,800

San Francisco

$444,600

Choosing Lowell saves $137,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $275,600.

Sample Schools

Lowell

Lowell Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

St. Michael Academy (Lowell)

Catholic · K–8 · $10,800-$12,800/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

Full Lowell breakdown → Full San Francisco breakdown →

Massachusetts private school costs California private school costs

Related Comparisons

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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.