Is private school cheaper in Pasadena or San Francisco?

Pasadena 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 Pasadena over San Francisco?

Average tuition in Pasadena 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: $7,600/year in Pasadena, $16,000/year in San Francisco.

How do Pasadena and San Francisco 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). San Francisco averages $34,200/year ($21,850 above average).

Private School Cost: Pasadena vs San Francisco

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

Bottom Line

Pasadena is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,200/year vs $34,200/year in San Francisco. Religious schools run $7,600/year on the low end.

Pasadena

$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	Pasadena	San Francisco	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,200/yr	$34,200/yr	-$23,000
Religious Schools	$7,600/yr	$16,000/yr	-$8,400
Independent/Prep	$23,700/yr	$52,000/yr	-$28,300
Elementary (K-5)	$9,500/yr	$28,000/yr	-$18,500
Middle School (6-8)	$11,200/yr	$34,200/yr	-$23,000
High School (9-12)	$13,400/yr	$42,000/yr	-$28,600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Pasadena

$145,600

San Francisco

$444,600

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

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

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 Pasadena breakdown → Full San Francisco breakdown →

Texas 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.