Is private school cheaper in Providence or San Jose?

Providence has lower average private school tuition at $22,000/year vs $25,200/year in San Jose. That's $3,200/year less, or $41,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Providence is $3,200/year less than San Jose. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $41,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $12,400/year in Providence, $13,800/year in San Jose.

How do Providence and San Jose 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). San Jose averages $25,200/year ($12,850 above average).

Private School Cost: Providence vs San Jose

Providence averages $3,200/year less for private school (15% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $41,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Providence is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $22,000/year vs $25,200/year in San Jose. Religious schools run $12,400/year on the low end.

Providence

$22,000

avg tuition/year

$9,650 above national avg

Lower cost

San Jose

$25,200

avg tuition/year

$12,850 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Providence	San Jose	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$22,000/yr	$25,200/yr	-$3,200
Religious Schools	$12,400/yr	$13,800/yr	-$1,400
Independent/Prep	$36,000/yr	$40,500/yr	-$4,500
Elementary (K-5)	$18,000/yr	$20,500/yr	-$2,500
Middle School (6-8)	$22,000/yr	$25,200/yr	-$3,200
High School (9-12)	$27,500/yr	$31,200/yr	-$3,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Providence

$286,000

San Jose

$327,600

Choosing Providence saves $41,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $83,200.

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 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 Providence breakdown → Full San Jose breakdown →

Rhode Island private school costs California private school costs

Related Comparisons

Los Angeles vs San Jose → San Francisco vs San Jose →

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.