Is private school cheaper in Pasadena or Tacoma?

Pasadena has lower average private school tuition at $11,200/year vs $13,700/year in Tacoma. That's $2,500/year less, or $32,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Pasadena is $2,500/year less than Tacoma. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $32,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,600/year in Pasadena, $9,400/year in Tacoma.

How do Pasadena and Tacoma 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). Tacoma averages $13,700/year ($1,350 above average).

Private School Cost: Pasadena vs Tacoma

Pasadena averages $2,500/year less for private school (22% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $32,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Pasadena is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,200/year vs $13,700/year in Tacoma. Religious schools run $7,600/year on the low end.

Pasadena

$11,200

avg tuition/year

$1,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Tacoma

$13,700

avg tuition/year

$1,350 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Pasadena	Tacoma	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,200/yr	$13,700/yr	-$2,500
Religious Schools	$7,600/yr	$9,400/yr	-$1,800
Independent/Prep	$23,700/yr	$29,400/yr	-$5,700
Elementary (K-5)	$9,500/yr	$11,600/yr	-$2,100
Middle School (6-8)	$11,200/yr	$13,700/yr	-$2,500
High School (9-12)	$13,400/yr	$16,400/yr	-$3,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Pasadena

$145,600

Tacoma

$178,100

Choosing Pasadena saves $32,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $65,000.

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

Tacoma

Charles Wright Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $28,400/yr

Bellarmine Preparatory School

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,400/yr

Full Pasadena breakdown → Full Tacoma breakdown →

Texas private school costs Washington 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.