Is private school cheaper in Rancho Cucamonga or San Bernardino?

San Bernardino has lower average private school tuition at $13,800/year vs $16,500/year in Rancho Cucamonga. That's $2,700/year less, or $35,100 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing San Bernardino over Rancho Cucamonga?

Average tuition in San Bernardino is $2,700/year less than Rancho Cucamonga. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $35,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $10,700/year in Rancho Cucamonga, $9,000/year in San Bernardino.

How do Rancho Cucamonga and San Bernardino private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Rancho Cucamonga averages $16,500/year ($4,150 above average). San Bernardino averages $13,800/year ($1,450 above average).

Private School Cost: Rancho Cucamonga vs San Bernardino

San Bernardino averages $2,700/year less for private school (20% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $35,100 per child.

Bottom Line

San Bernardino is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,800/year vs $16,500/year in Rancho Cucamonga. Religious schools run $9,000/year on the low end.

Rancho Cucamonga

$16,500

avg tuition/year

$4,150 above national avg

San Bernardino

$13,800

avg tuition/year

$1,450 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Rancho Cucamonga	San Bernardino	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$16,500/yr	$13,800/yr	+$2,700
Religious Schools	$10,700/yr	$9,000/yr	+$1,700
Independent/Prep	$32,000/yr	$26,800/yr	+$5,200
Elementary (K-5)	$14,000/yr	$11,700/yr	+$2,300
Middle School (6-8)	$16,500/yr	$13,800/yr	+$2,700
High School (9-12)	$19,800/yr	$16,600/yr	+$3,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Rancho Cucamonga

$214,500

San Bernardino

$179,400

Choosing San Bernardino saves $35,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $70,200.

Sample Schools

Rancho Cucamonga

Alta Loma Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $9,600-$12,200/yr

Saint Peter and Paul School

Catholic · K–8 · $8,800-$10,400/yr

San Bernardino

Our Lady of the Assumption School

Catholic · PK–8 · $8,400-$10,200/yr

San Bernardino Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $7,800-$9,200/yr

Full Rancho Cucamonga breakdown → Full San Bernardino breakdown →

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.