Is private school cheaper in Pasadena or Santa Rosa?

Pasadena has lower average private school tuition at $11,200/year vs $17,600/year in Santa Rosa. That's $6,400/year less, or $83,200 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Pasadena is $6,400/year less than Santa Rosa. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $83,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,600/year in Pasadena, $11,400/year in Santa Rosa.

How do Pasadena and Santa Rosa 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 Rosa averages $17,600/year ($5,250 above average).

Private School Cost: Pasadena vs Santa Rosa

Pasadena averages $6,400/year less for private school (57% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $83,200 per child.

Bottom Line

Pasadena is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,200/year vs $17,600/year in Santa Rosa. Religious schools run $7,600/year on the low end.

Pasadena

$11,200

avg tuition/year

$1,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Santa Rosa

$17,600

avg tuition/year

$5,250 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Pasadena	Santa Rosa	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,200/yr	$17,600/yr	-$6,400
Religious Schools	$7,600/yr	$11,400/yr	-$3,800
Independent/Prep	$23,700/yr	$34,200/yr	-$10,500
Elementary (K-5)	$9,500/yr	$15,000/yr	-$5,500
Middle School (6-8)	$11,200/yr	$17,600/yr	-$6,400
High School (9-12)	$13,400/yr	$21,100/yr	-$7,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Pasadena

$145,600

Santa Rosa

$228,800

Choosing Pasadena saves $83,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $166,400.

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 Rosa

Cardinal Newman High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,200/yr

Rincon Valley Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $10,400-$12,800/yr

Full Pasadena breakdown → Full Santa Rosa breakdown →

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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.