Is private school cheaper in Pasadena or Santa Clarita?

Pasadena has lower average private school tuition at $11,200/year vs $18,000/year in Santa Clarita. That's $6,800/year less, or $88,400 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Pasadena is $6,800/year less than Santa Clarita. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $88,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,600/year in Pasadena, $11,700/year in Santa Clarita.

How do Pasadena and Santa Clarita 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). Santa Clarita averages $18,000/year ($5,650 above average).

Private School Cost: Pasadena vs Santa Clarita

Pasadena averages $6,800/year less for private school (61% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $88,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Pasadena is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,200/year vs $18,000/year in Santa Clarita. Religious schools run $7,600/year on the low end.

Pasadena

$11,200

avg tuition/year

$1,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Santa Clarita

$18,000

avg tuition/year

$5,650 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Pasadena	Santa Clarita	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,200/yr	$18,000/yr	-$6,800
Religious Schools	$7,600/yr	$11,700/yr	-$4,100
Independent/Prep	$23,700/yr	$35,100/yr	-$11,400
Elementary (K-5)	$9,500/yr	$15,300/yr	-$5,800
Middle School (6-8)	$11,200/yr	$18,000/yr	-$6,800
High School (9-12)	$13,400/yr	$21,600/yr	-$8,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Pasadena

$145,600

Santa Clarita

$234,000

Choosing Pasadena saves $88,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $176,800.

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

Santa Clarita

The Masters School (Santa Clarita)

Christian · K–12 · $14,800/yr

West Ranch Academy

Independent · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

Full Pasadena breakdown → Full Santa Clarita 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.