Is private school cheaper in Portland or San Jose?

Portland has lower average private school tuition at $18,200/year vs $25,200/year in San Jose. That's $7,000/year less, or $91,000 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Portland over San Jose?

Average tuition in Portland is $7,000/year less than San Jose. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $91,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $10,400/year in Portland, $13,800/year in San Jose.

How do Portland and San Jose private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Portland averages $18,200/year ($5,850 above average). San Jose averages $25,200/year ($12,850 above average).

Private School Cost: Portland vs San Jose

Portland averages $7,000/year less for private school (38% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $91,000 per child.

Bottom Line

Portland is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $18,200/year vs $25,200/year in San Jose. Religious schools run $10,400/year on the low end.

Portland

$18,200

avg tuition/year

$5,850 above national avg

Lower cost

San Jose

$25,200

avg tuition/year

$12,850 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Portland	San Jose	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,200/yr	$25,200/yr	-$7,000
Religious Schools	$10,400/yr	$13,800/yr	-$3,400
Independent/Prep	$31,500/yr	$40,500/yr	-$9,000
Elementary (K-5)	$14,800/yr	$20,500/yr	-$5,700
Middle School (6-8)	$18,200/yr	$25,200/yr	-$7,000
High School (9-12)	$22,500/yr	$31,200/yr	-$8,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Portland

$236,600

San Jose

$327,600

Choosing Portland saves $91,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $182,000.

Sample Schools

Portland

Catlin Gabel School

Independent · PK–12 · $38,400-$41,200/yr

Oregon Episcopal School

Independent · PK–12 · $34,800/yr

Jesuit High School (Portland)

Catholic · 9–12 · $19,200/yr

Central Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

San Jose

Harker School

Independent · K–12 · $48,200-$51,600/yr

Bellarmine College Preparatory

Catholic · 9–12 · $22,800/yr

Archbishop Mitty High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $21,400/yr

Presentation High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $20,800/yr

Full Portland breakdown → Full San Jose breakdown →

Oregon private school costs California private school costs

Related Comparisons

Los Angeles vs San Jose → San Francisco vs San Jose → Seattle vs Portland →

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.