Is private school cheaper in Sacramento or Salt Lake City?

Salt Lake City has lower average private school tuition at $9,400/year vs $16,000/year in Sacramento. That's $6,600/year less, or $85,800 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Salt Lake City over Sacramento?

Average tuition in Salt Lake City is $6,600/year less than Sacramento. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $85,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,800/year in Sacramento, $6,500/year in Salt Lake City.

How do Sacramento and Salt Lake City private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Sacramento averages $16,000/year ($3,650 above average). Salt Lake City averages $9,400/year ($2,950 below average).

Private School Cost: Sacramento vs Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City averages $6,600/year less for private school (70% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $85,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Salt Lake City is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,400/year vs $16,000/year in Sacramento. Religious schools run $6,500/year on the low end.

Sacramento

$16,000

avg tuition/year

$3,650 above national avg

Salt Lake City

$9,400

avg tuition/year

$2,950 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Sacramento	Salt Lake City	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$16,000/yr	$9,400/yr	+$6,600
Religious Schools	$9,800/yr	$6,500/yr	+$3,300
Independent/Prep	$28,500/yr	$18,700/yr	+$9,800
Elementary (K-5)	$13,000/yr	$8,000/yr	+$5,000
Middle School (6-8)	$16,000/yr	$9,400/yr	+$6,600
High School (9-12)	$19,800/yr	$11,300/yr	+$8,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Sacramento

$208,000

Salt Lake City

$122,200

Choosing Salt Lake City saves $85,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $171,600.

Sample Schools

Sacramento

Sacramento Country Day School

Independent · PK–12 · $29,800-$32,400/yr

Christian Brothers High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,800/yr

Jesuit High School (Sacramento)

Catholic · 9–12 · $19,400/yr

St. Francis High School (Sacramento)

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,200/yr

Salt Lake City

Judge Memorial Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

Utah Private Academy

Independent · K–12 · $9,800-$12,400/yr

Full Sacramento breakdown → Full Salt Lake City breakdown →

California private school costs Utah 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.