Private School Cost: Sacramento vs Santa Clarita
Sacramento averages $2,000/year less for private school (13% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $26,000 per child.
Bottom Line
Sacramento is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $16,000/year vs $18,000/year in Santa Clarita. Religious schools run $9,800/year on the low end.
Sacramento
CA
$16,000
avg tuition/year
Santa Clarita
CA
$18,000
avg tuition/year
Tuition by School Type & Grade
| Category | Sacramento | Santa Clarita | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Schools (Average) | $16,000/yr | $18,000/yr | -$2,000 |
| Religious Schools | $9,800/yr | $11,700/yr | -$1,900 |
| Independent/Prep | $28,500/yr | $35,100/yr | -$6,600 |
| Elementary (K-5) | $13,000/yr | $15,300/yr | -$2,300 |
| Middle School (6-8) | $16,000/yr | $18,000/yr | -$2,000 |
| High School (9-12) | $19,800/yr | $21,600/yr | -$1,800 |
K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)
Sacramento
$208,000
Santa Clarita
$234,000
Choosing Sacramento saves $26,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $52,000.
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
Santa Clarita
The Masters School (Santa Clarita)
Christian · K–12 · $14,800/yr
West Ranch Academy
Independent · 9–12 · $12,400/yr
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.