Is private school cheaper in Riverside or Sunnyvale?

Riverside has lower average private school tuition at $14,900/year vs $21,600/year in Sunnyvale. That's $6,700/year less, or $87,100 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Riverside over Sunnyvale?

Average tuition in Riverside is $6,700/year less than Sunnyvale. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $87,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,700/year in Riverside, $14,100/year in Sunnyvale.

How do Riverside and Sunnyvale private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Riverside averages $14,900/year ($2,550 above average). Sunnyvale averages $21,600/year ($9,250 above average).

Private School Cost: Riverside vs Sunnyvale

Riverside averages $6,700/year less for private school (45% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $87,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Riverside is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $14,900/year vs $21,600/year in Sunnyvale. Religious schools run $9,700/year on the low end.

Riverside

$14,900

avg tuition/year

$2,550 above national avg

Lower cost

Sunnyvale

$21,600

avg tuition/year

$9,250 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Riverside	Sunnyvale	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$14,900/yr	$21,600/yr	-$6,700
Religious Schools	$9,700/yr	$14,100/yr	-$4,400
Independent/Prep	$29,000/yr	$42,100/yr	-$13,100
Elementary (K-5)	$12,700/yr	$18,400/yr	-$5,700
Middle School (6-8)	$14,900/yr	$21,600/yr	-$6,700
High School (9-12)	$17,900/yr	$25,900/yr	-$8,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Riverside

$193,700

Sunnyvale

$280,800

Choosing Riverside saves $87,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $174,200.

Sample Schools

Riverside

Notre Dame High School (Riverside)

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,800/yr

Riverside Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

Sunnyvale

Archbishop Mitty High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $26,800/yr

Stratford School (Sunnyvale)

Independent · PK–8 · $24,200-$27,600/yr

Full Riverside breakdown → Full Sunnyvale 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.