Is private school cheaper in Paterson or Sacramento?

Sacramento has lower average private school tuition at $16,000/year vs $18,100/year in Paterson. That's $2,100/year less, or $27,300 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Sacramento over Paterson?

Average tuition in Sacramento is $2,100/year less than Paterson. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $27,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $11,700/year in Paterson, $9,800/year in Sacramento.

How do Paterson and Sacramento private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Paterson averages $18,100/year ($5,750 above average). Sacramento averages $16,000/year ($3,650 above average).

Private School Cost: Paterson vs Sacramento

Sacramento averages $2,100/year less for private school (13% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $27,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Sacramento is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $16,000/year vs $18,100/year in Paterson. Religious schools run $9,800/year on the low end.

Paterson

$18,100

avg tuition/year

$5,750 above national avg

Sacramento

$16,000

avg tuition/year

$3,650 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Paterson	Sacramento	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,100/yr	$16,000/yr	+$2,100
Religious Schools	$11,700/yr	$9,800/yr	+$1,900
Independent/Prep	$38,700/yr	$28,500/yr	+$10,200
Elementary (K-5)	$15,400/yr	$13,000/yr	+$2,400
Middle School (6-8)	$18,100/yr	$16,000/yr	+$2,100
High School (9-12)	$21,700/yr	$19,800/yr	+$1,900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Paterson

$235,300

Sacramento

$208,000

Choosing Sacramento saves $27,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $54,600.

Sample Schools

Paterson

Paramus Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $15,800/yr

St. Philip the Apostle School

Catholic · K–8 · $10,200-$12,400/yr

Sacramento

Sacramento Country Day School

Independent · PK–12 · $29,800-$32,400/yr

Christian Brothers High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,800/yr

Jesuit High School (Sacramento)

Catholic · 9–12 · $19,400/yr

St. Francis High School (Sacramento)

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,200/yr

Full Paterson breakdown → Full Sacramento breakdown →

New Jersey 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.