Is private school cheaper in Rochester or San Francisco?

Rochester has lower average private school tuition at $18,100/year vs $34,200/year in San Francisco. That's $16,100/year less, or $209,300 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Rochester over San Francisco?

Average tuition in Rochester is $16,100/year less than San Francisco. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $209,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $10,400/year in Rochester, $16,000/year in San Francisco.

How do Rochester and San Francisco private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Rochester averages $18,100/year ($5,750 above average). San Francisco averages $34,200/year ($21,850 above average).

Private School Cost: Rochester vs San Francisco

Rochester averages $16,100/year less for private school (89% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $209,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Rochester is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $18,100/year vs $34,200/year in San Francisco. Religious schools run $10,400/year on the low end.

Rochester

$18,100

avg tuition/year

$5,750 above national avg

Lower cost

San Francisco

$34,200

avg tuition/year

$21,850 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Rochester	San Francisco	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,100/yr	$34,200/yr	-$16,100
Religious Schools	$10,400/yr	$16,000/yr	-$5,600
Independent/Prep	$38,500/yr	$52,000/yr	-$13,500
Elementary (K-5)	$15,400/yr	$28,000/yr	-$12,600
Middle School (6-8)	$18,100/yr	$34,200/yr	-$16,100
High School (9-12)	$21,700/yr	$42,000/yr	-$20,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Rochester

$235,300

San Francisco

$444,600

Choosing Rochester saves $209,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $418,600.

Sample Schools

Rochester

McQuaid Jesuit High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,800/yr

Allendale Columbia School

Independent · PK–12 · $22,400/yr

San Francisco

San Francisco University High School

Independent · 9–12 · $56,830/yr

The Urban School of San Francisco

Independent · 9–12 · $56,200/yr

Katherine Delmar Burke School

Independent · K–8 · $48,900/yr

St. Ignatius College Preparatory

Catholic · 9–12 · $24,600/yr

Full Rochester breakdown → Full San Francisco breakdown →

New York private school costs California private school costs

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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.