Is private school cheaper in Milwaukee or San Francisco?

Milwaukee has lower average private school tuition at $11,200/year vs $34,200/year in San Francisco. That's $23,000/year less, or $299,000 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Milwaukee is $23,000/year less than San Francisco. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $299,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,400/year in Milwaukee, $16,000/year in San Francisco.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Milwaukee averages $11,200/year ($1,150 below average). San Francisco averages $34,200/year ($21,850 above average).

Private School Cost: Milwaukee vs San Francisco

Milwaukee averages $23,000/year less for private school (205% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $299,000 per child.

Bottom Line

Milwaukee is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,200/year vs $34,200/year in San Francisco. Religious schools run $7,400/year on the low end.

Milwaukee

$11,200

avg tuition/year

$1,150 below national avg

Lower cost

San Francisco

$34,200

avg tuition/year

$21,850 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Milwaukee	San Francisco	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,200/yr	$34,200/yr	-$23,000
Religious Schools	$7,400/yr	$16,000/yr	-$8,600
Independent/Prep	$21,000/yr	$52,000/yr	-$31,000
Elementary (K-5)	$9,200/yr	$28,000/yr	-$18,800
Middle School (6-8)	$11,200/yr	$34,200/yr	-$23,000
High School (9-12)	$13,800/yr	$42,000/yr	-$28,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Milwaukee

$145,600

San Francisco

$444,600

Choosing Milwaukee saves $299,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $598,000.

Sample Schools

Milwaukee

University School of Milwaukee

Independent · PK–12 · $22,800-$25,200/yr

Milwaukee University School

Independent · PK–12 · $21,400/yr

Marquette University High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Divine Savior Holy Angels High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,200/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 Milwaukee breakdown → Full San Francisco breakdown →

Wisconsin private school costs California private school costs

Related Comparisons

Los Angeles vs San Francisco → San Francisco vs San Jose → Chicago vs Milwaukee → San Francisco vs Houston →

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.