Is private school cheaper in Rochester or Sunnyvale?

Rochester has lower average private school tuition at $18,100/year vs $21,600/year in Sunnyvale. That's $3,500/year less, or $45,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Rochester is $3,500/year less than Sunnyvale. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $45,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $10,400/year in Rochester, $14,100/year in Sunnyvale.

How do Rochester and Sunnyvale 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). Sunnyvale averages $21,600/year ($9,250 above average).

Private School Cost: Rochester vs Sunnyvale

Rochester averages $3,500/year less for private school (19% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $45,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Rochester is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $18,100/year vs $21,600/year in Sunnyvale. Religious schools run $10,400/year on the low end.

Rochester

$18,100

avg tuition/year

$5,750 above national avg

Lower cost

Sunnyvale

$21,600

avg tuition/year

$9,250 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Rochester	Sunnyvale	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,100/yr	$21,600/yr	-$3,500
Religious Schools	$10,400/yr	$14,100/yr	-$3,700
Independent/Prep	$38,500/yr	$42,100/yr	-$3,600
Elementary (K-5)	$15,400/yr	$18,400/yr	-$3,000
Middle School (6-8)	$18,100/yr	$21,600/yr	-$3,500
High School (9-12)	$21,700/yr	$25,900/yr	-$4,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Rochester

$235,300

Sunnyvale

$280,800

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

Sample Schools

Rochester

McQuaid Jesuit High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,800/yr

Allendale Columbia School

Independent · PK–12 · $22,400/yr

Sunnyvale

Archbishop Mitty High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $26,800/yr

Stratford School (Sunnyvale)

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

Full Rochester breakdown → Full Sunnyvale breakdown →

New York 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.