Is private school cheaper in Paterson or Santa Rosa?

Santa Rosa has lower average private school tuition at $17,600/year vs $18,100/year in Paterson. That's $500/year less, or $6,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Santa Rosa is $500/year less than Paterson. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $6,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $11,700/year in Paterson, $11,400/year in Santa Rosa.

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

Private School Cost: Paterson vs Santa Rosa

Santa Rosa averages $500/year less for private school (3% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $6,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Santa Rosa is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $17,600/year vs $18,100/year in Paterson. Religious schools run $11,400/year on the low end.

Paterson

$18,100

avg tuition/year

$5,750 above national avg

Santa Rosa

$17,600

avg tuition/year

$5,250 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Paterson	Santa Rosa	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,100/yr	$17,600/yr	+$500
Religious Schools	$11,700/yr	$11,400/yr	+$300
Independent/Prep	$38,700/yr	$34,200/yr	+$4,500
Elementary (K-5)	$15,400/yr	$15,000/yr	+$400
Middle School (6-8)	$18,100/yr	$17,600/yr	+$500
High School (9-12)	$21,700/yr	$21,100/yr	+$600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Paterson

$235,300

Santa Rosa

$228,800

Choosing Santa Rosa saves $6,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $13,000.

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

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 Paterson breakdown → Full Santa Rosa 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.