Is private school cheaper in Providence or Sacramento?

Sacramento has lower average private school tuition at $16,000/year vs $22,000/year in Providence. That's $6,000/year less, or $78,000 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Sacramento is $6,000/year less than Providence. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $78,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $12,400/year in Providence, $9,800/year in Sacramento.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Providence averages $22,000/year ($9,650 above average). Sacramento averages $16,000/year ($3,650 above average).

Private School Cost: Providence vs Sacramento

Sacramento averages $6,000/year less for private school (38% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $78,000 per child.

Bottom Line

Sacramento is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $16,000/year vs $22,000/year in Providence. Religious schools run $9,800/year on the low end.

Providence

$22,000

avg tuition/year

$9,650 above national avg

Sacramento

$16,000

avg tuition/year

$3,650 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Providence	Sacramento	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$22,000/yr	$16,000/yr	+$6,000
Religious Schools	$12,400/yr	$9,800/yr	+$2,600
Independent/Prep	$36,000/yr	$28,500/yr	+$7,500
Elementary (K-5)	$18,000/yr	$13,000/yr	+$5,000
Middle School (6-8)	$22,000/yr	$16,000/yr	+$6,000
High School (9-12)	$27,500/yr	$19,800/yr	+$7,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Providence

$286,000

Sacramento

$208,000

Choosing Sacramento saves $78,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $156,000.

Sample Schools

Providence

Moses Brown School

Independent (Quaker) · PK–12 · $40,800-$43,200/yr

Wheeler School

Independent · PK–12 · $38,200-$40,800/yr

Providence Country Day School

Independent · 6–12 · $34,800/yr

La Salle Academy (Providence)

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,200/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 Providence breakdown → Full Sacramento breakdown →

Rhode Island 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.