Is private school cheaper in Pasadena or Riverside?

Pasadena has lower average private school tuition at $11,200/year vs $14,900/year in Riverside. That's $3,700/year less, or $48,100 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Pasadena over Riverside?

Average tuition in Pasadena is $3,700/year less than Riverside. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $48,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,600/year in Pasadena, $9,700/year in Riverside.

How do Pasadena and Riverside private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Pasadena averages $11,200/year ($1,150 below average). Riverside averages $14,900/year ($2,550 above average).

Private School Cost: Pasadena vs Riverside

Pasadena averages $3,700/year less for private school (33% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $48,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Pasadena is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,200/year vs $14,900/year in Riverside. Religious schools run $7,600/year on the low end.

Pasadena

$11,200

avg tuition/year

$1,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Riverside

$14,900

avg tuition/year

$2,550 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Pasadena	Riverside	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,200/yr	$14,900/yr	-$3,700
Religious Schools	$7,600/yr	$9,700/yr	-$2,100
Independent/Prep	$23,700/yr	$29,000/yr	-$5,300
Elementary (K-5)	$9,500/yr	$12,700/yr	-$3,200
Middle School (6-8)	$11,200/yr	$14,900/yr	-$3,700
High School (9-12)	$13,400/yr	$17,900/yr	-$4,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Pasadena

$145,600

Riverside

$193,700

Choosing Pasadena saves $48,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $96,200.

Sample Schools

Pasadena

San Jacinto Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $8,400-$10,200/yr

Blessed Sacrament School (Pasadena)

Catholic · K–8 · $7,800-$9,400/yr

Riverside

Notre Dame High School (Riverside)

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,800/yr

Riverside Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

Full Pasadena breakdown → Full Riverside breakdown →

Texas private school costs California private school costs

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.