Is private school cheaper in Richmond or San Jose?

Richmond has lower average private school tuition at $14,500/year vs $25,200/year in San Jose. That's $10,700/year less, or $139,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Richmond is $10,700/year less than San Jose. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $139,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,200/year in Richmond, $13,800/year in San Jose.

How do Richmond and San Jose private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Richmond averages $14,500/year ($2,150 above average). San Jose averages $25,200/year ($12,850 above average).

Private School Cost: Richmond vs San Jose

Richmond averages $10,700/year less for private school (74% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $139,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Richmond is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $14,500/year vs $25,200/year in San Jose. Religious schools run $9,200/year on the low end.

Richmond

$14,500

avg tuition/year

$2,150 above national avg

Lower cost

San Jose

$25,200

avg tuition/year

$12,850 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Richmond	San Jose	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$14,500/yr	$25,200/yr	-$10,700
Religious Schools	$9,200/yr	$13,800/yr	-$4,600
Independent/Prep	$27,000/yr	$40,500/yr	-$13,500
Elementary (K-5)	$11,800/yr	$20,500/yr	-$8,700
Middle School (6-8)	$14,500/yr	$25,200/yr	-$10,700
High School (9-12)	$18,000/yr	$31,200/yr	-$13,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Richmond

$188,500

San Jose

$327,600

Choosing Richmond saves $139,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $278,200.

Sample Schools

Richmond

St. Catherine's School (Richmond)

Independent · PK–12 · $28,800-$31,400/yr

St. Christopher's School

Independent · K–12 · $29,200-$31,800/yr

Collegiate School (Richmond)

Independent · PK–12 · $30,400-$32,800/yr

Benedictine College Preparatory

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,200/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 Richmond breakdown → Full San Jose breakdown →

Virginia 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.