Private School Cost: Orange County vs San Francisco
Orange County averages $13,400/year less for private school (64% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $174,200 per child.
Bottom Line
Orange County is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $20,800/year vs $34,200/year in San Francisco. Religious schools run $11,200/year on the low end.
Orange County
CA
$20,800
avg tuition/year
San Francisco
CA
$34,200
avg tuition/year
Tuition by School Type & Grade
| Category | Orange County | San Francisco | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Schools (Average) | $20,800/yr | $34,200/yr | -$13,400 |
| Religious Schools | $11,200/yr | $16,000/yr | -$4,800 |
| Independent/Prep | $34,800/yr | $52,000/yr | -$17,200 |
| Elementary (K-5) | $17,000/yr | $28,000/yr | -$11,000 |
| Middle School (6-8) | $20,800/yr | $34,200/yr | -$13,400 |
| High School (9-12) | $25,500/yr | $42,000/yr | -$16,500 |
K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)
Orange County
$270,400
San Francisco
$444,600
Choosing Orange County saves $174,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $348,400.
Sample Schools
Orange County
Sage Hill School
Independent · 9–12 · $41,800/yr
Fairmont Preparatory Academy
Independent · 9–12 · $34,600-$37,200/yr
Calvary Chapel Academy
Christian · K–12 · $10,400-$12,800/yr
JSerra Catholic High School
Catholic · 9–12 · $22,400/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
Related Comparisons
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.