Is private school cheaper in Sacramento or Thornton?

Thornton has lower average private school tuition at $13,100/year vs $16,000/year in Sacramento. That's $2,900/year less, or $37,700 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Thornton is $2,900/year less than Sacramento. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $37,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,800/year in Sacramento, $8,500/year in Thornton.

How do Sacramento and Thornton 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). Thornton averages $13,100/year ($750 above average).

Private School Cost: Sacramento vs Thornton

Thornton averages $2,900/year less for private school (22% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $37,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Thornton is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,100/year vs $16,000/year in Sacramento. Religious schools run $8,500/year on the low end.

Sacramento

$16,000

avg tuition/year

$3,650 above national avg

Thornton

$13,100

avg tuition/year

$750 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Sacramento	Thornton	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$16,000/yr	$13,100/yr	+$2,900
Religious Schools	$9,800/yr	$8,500/yr	+$1,300
Independent/Prep	$28,500/yr	$25,700/yr	+$2,800
Elementary (K-5)	$13,000/yr	$11,100/yr	+$1,900
Middle School (6-8)	$16,000/yr	$13,100/yr	+$2,900
High School (9-12)	$19,800/yr	$15,700/yr	+$4,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Sacramento

$208,000

Thornton

$170,300

Choosing Thornton saves $37,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $75,400.

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

Thornton

Thornton Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

St. Pius X Catholic School (Thornton)

Catholic · K–8 · $8,400-$10,200/yr

Full Sacramento breakdown → Full Thornton breakdown →

California private school costs Colorado 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.