Is private school cheaper in San Bernardino or Tacoma?

Tacoma has lower average private school tuition at $13,700/year vs $13,800/year in San Bernardino. That's $100/year less, or $1,300 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Tacoma over San Bernardino?

Average tuition in Tacoma is $100/year less than San Bernardino. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $1,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,000/year in San Bernardino, $9,400/year in Tacoma.

How do San Bernardino and Tacoma private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. San Bernardino averages $13,800/year ($1,450 above average). Tacoma averages $13,700/year ($1,350 above average).

Private School Cost: San Bernardino vs Tacoma

Tacoma averages $100/year less for private school (1% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $1,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Tacoma is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,700/year vs $13,800/year in San Bernardino. Religious schools run $9,000/year on the low end.

San Bernardino

$13,800

avg tuition/year

$1,450 above national avg

Tacoma

$13,700

avg tuition/year

$1,350 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	San Bernardino	Tacoma	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$13,800/yr	$13,700/yr	+$100
Religious Schools	$9,000/yr	$9,400/yr	-$400
Independent/Prep	$26,800/yr	$29,400/yr	-$2,600
Elementary (K-5)	$11,700/yr	$11,600/yr	+$100
Middle School (6-8)	$13,800/yr	$13,700/yr	+$100
High School (9-12)	$16,600/yr	$16,400/yr	+$200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

San Bernardino

$179,400

Tacoma

$178,100

Choosing Tacoma saves $1,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $2,600.

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

Tacoma

Charles Wright Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $28,400/yr

Bellarmine Preparatory School

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,400/yr

Full San Bernardino breakdown → Full Tacoma breakdown →

California private school costs Washington 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.