Is private school cheaper in Pasadena or Seattle?

Pasadena has lower average private school tuition at $11,200/year vs $24,500/year in Seattle. That's $13,300/year less, or $172,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Pasadena is $13,300/year less than Seattle. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $172,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,600/year in Pasadena, $13,200/year in Seattle.

How do Pasadena and Seattle 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). Seattle averages $24,500/year ($12,150 above average).

Private School Cost: Pasadena vs Seattle

Pasadena averages $13,300/year less for private school (119% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $172,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Pasadena is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,200/year vs $24,500/year in Seattle. Religious schools run $7,600/year on the low end.

Pasadena

$11,200

avg tuition/year

$1,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Seattle

$24,500

avg tuition/year

$12,150 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Pasadena	Seattle	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,200/yr	$24,500/yr	-$13,300
Religious Schools	$7,600/yr	$13,200/yr	-$5,600
Independent/Prep	$23,700/yr	$38,000/yr	-$14,300
Elementary (K-5)	$9,500/yr	$20,000/yr	-$10,500
Middle School (6-8)	$11,200/yr	$24,500/yr	-$13,300
High School (9-12)	$13,400/yr	$30,500/yr	-$17,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Pasadena

$145,600

Seattle

$318,500

Choosing Pasadena saves $172,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $345,800.

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

Seattle

University Prep

Independent · 6–12 · $42,800/yr

Northwest School

Independent · 6–12 · $39,400/yr

Seattle Prep

Catholic · 9–12 · $21,200/yr

O'Dea High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,800/yr

Full Pasadena breakdown → Full Seattle breakdown →

Texas private school costs Washington private school costs

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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.