Is private school cheaper in Richmond or Santa Clarita?

Richmond has lower average private school tuition at $14,500/year vs $18,000/year in Santa Clarita. That's $3,500/year less, or $45,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Richmond is $3,500/year less than Santa Clarita. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $45,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,200/year in Richmond, $11,700/year in Santa Clarita.

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

Private School Cost: Richmond vs Santa Clarita

Richmond averages $3,500/year less for private school (24% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $45,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Richmond is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $14,500/year vs $18,000/year in Santa Clarita. Religious schools run $9,200/year on the low end.

Richmond

$14,500

avg tuition/year

$2,150 above national avg

Lower cost

Santa Clarita

$18,000

avg tuition/year

$5,650 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Richmond	Santa Clarita	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$14,500/yr	$18,000/yr	-$3,500
Religious Schools	$9,200/yr	$11,700/yr	-$2,500
Independent/Prep	$27,000/yr	$35,100/yr	-$8,100
Elementary (K-5)	$11,800/yr	$15,300/yr	-$3,500
Middle School (6-8)	$14,500/yr	$18,000/yr	-$3,500
High School (9-12)	$18,000/yr	$21,600/yr	-$3,600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Richmond

$188,500

Santa Clarita

$234,000

Choosing Richmond saves $45,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $91,000.

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

Santa Clarita

The Masters School (Santa Clarita)

Christian · K–12 · $14,800/yr

West Ranch Academy

Independent · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

Full Richmond breakdown → Full Santa Clarita breakdown →

Virginia private school costs 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.