Is private school cheaper in Rancho Cucamonga or Santa Clarita?

Rancho Cucamonga has lower average private school tuition at $16,500/year vs $18,000/year in Santa Clarita. That's $1,500/year less, or $19,500 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Rancho Cucamonga over Santa Clarita?

Average tuition in Rancho Cucamonga is $1,500/year less than Santa Clarita. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $19,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $10,700/year in Rancho Cucamonga, $11,700/year in Santa Clarita.

How do Rancho Cucamonga and Santa Clarita 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). Santa Clarita averages $18,000/year ($5,650 above average).

Private School Cost: Rancho Cucamonga vs Santa Clarita

Rancho Cucamonga averages $1,500/year less for private school (9% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $19,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Rancho Cucamonga is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $16,500/year vs $18,000/year in Santa Clarita. Religious schools run $10,700/year on the low end.

Rancho Cucamonga

$16,500

avg tuition/year

$4,150 above national avg

Lower cost

Santa Clarita

$18,000

avg tuition/year

$5,650 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Rancho Cucamonga	Santa Clarita	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$16,500/yr	$18,000/yr	-$1,500
Religious Schools	$10,700/yr	$11,700/yr	-$1,000
Independent/Prep	$32,000/yr	$35,100/yr	-$3,100
Elementary (K-5)	$14,000/yr	$15,300/yr	-$1,300
Middle School (6-8)	$16,500/yr	$18,000/yr	-$1,500
High School (9-12)	$19,800/yr	$21,600/yr	-$1,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Rancho Cucamonga

$214,500

Santa Clarita

$234,000

Choosing Rancho Cucamonga saves $19,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $39,000.

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

Santa Clarita

The Masters School (Santa Clarita)

Christian · K–12 · $14,800/yr

West Ranch Academy

Independent · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

Full Rancho Cucamonga breakdown → Full Santa Clarita 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.