Private School Cost: Providence vs San Francisco
Providence averages $12,200/year less for private school (55% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $158,600 per child.
Bottom Line
Providence is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $22,000/year vs $34,200/year in San Francisco. Religious schools run $12,400/year on the low end.
Providence
RI
$22,000
avg tuition/year
San Francisco
CA
$34,200
avg tuition/year
Tuition by School Type & Grade
| Category | Providence | San Francisco | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Schools (Average) | $22,000/yr | $34,200/yr | -$12,200 |
| Religious Schools | $12,400/yr | $16,000/yr | -$3,600 |
| Independent/Prep | $36,000/yr | $52,000/yr | -$16,000 |
| Elementary (K-5) | $18,000/yr | $28,000/yr | -$10,000 |
| Middle School (6-8) | $22,000/yr | $34,200/yr | -$12,200 |
| High School (9-12) | $27,500/yr | $42,000/yr | -$14,500 |
K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)
Providence
$286,000
San Francisco
$444,600
Choosing Providence saves $158,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $317,200.
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
San Francisco
San Francisco University High School
Independent · 9–12 · $56,830/yr
The Urban School of San Francisco
Independent · 9–12 · $56,200/yr
Katherine Delmar Burke School
Independent · K–8 · $48,900/yr
St. Ignatius College Preparatory
Catholic · 9–12 · $24,600/yr
Related Comparisons
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.