PrivateSchoolCost

Private School Cost: San Bernardino vs Santa Clarita

San Bernardino averages $4,200/year less for private school (30% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $54,600 per child.

Bottom Line

San Bernardino is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,800/year vs $18,000/year in Santa Clarita. Religious schools run $9,000/year on the low end.

San Bernardino

CA

$13,800

avg tuition/year

$1,450 above national avg
Lower cost

Santa Clarita

CA

$18,000

avg tuition/year

$5,650 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category San Bernardino Santa Clarita Difference
All Schools (Average) $13,800/yr $18,000/yr -$4,200
Religious Schools $9,000/yr $11,700/yr -$2,700
Independent/Prep $26,800/yr $35,100/yr -$8,300
Elementary (K-5) $11,700/yr $15,300/yr -$3,600
Middle School (6-8) $13,800/yr $18,000/yr -$4,200
High School (9-12) $16,600/yr $21,600/yr -$5,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

San Bernardino

$179,400

Santa Clarita

$234,000

Choosing San Bernardino saves $54,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $109,200.

Sample Schools

San Bernardino

Our Lady of the Assumption School

Catholic · PK–8 · $8,400-$10,200/yr

San Bernardino Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $7,800-$9,200/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.