Is private school cheaper in Sacramento or Sunnyvale?

Sacramento has lower average private school tuition at $16,000/year vs $21,600/year in Sunnyvale. That's $5,600/year less, or $72,800 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Sacramento is $5,600/year less than Sunnyvale. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $72,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,800/year in Sacramento, $14,100/year in Sunnyvale.

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

Private School Cost: Sacramento vs Sunnyvale

Sacramento averages $5,600/year less for private school (35% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $72,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Sacramento is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $16,000/year vs $21,600/year in Sunnyvale. Religious schools run $9,800/year on the low end.

Sacramento

$16,000

avg tuition/year

$3,650 above national avg

Lower cost

Sunnyvale

$21,600

avg tuition/year

$9,250 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Sacramento	Sunnyvale	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$16,000/yr	$21,600/yr	-$5,600
Religious Schools	$9,800/yr	$14,100/yr	-$4,300
Independent/Prep	$28,500/yr	$42,100/yr	-$13,600
Elementary (K-5)	$13,000/yr	$18,400/yr	-$5,400
Middle School (6-8)	$16,000/yr	$21,600/yr	-$5,600
High School (9-12)	$19,800/yr	$25,900/yr	-$6,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Sacramento

$208,000

Sunnyvale

$280,800

Choosing Sacramento saves $72,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $145,600.

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

Sunnyvale

Archbishop Mitty High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $26,800/yr

Stratford School (Sunnyvale)

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

Full Sacramento 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.