Private School Cost: San Diego vs San Francisco
San Diego averages $13,000/year less for private school (61% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $169,000 per child.
Bottom Line
San Diego is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $21,200/year vs $34,200/year in San Francisco. Religious schools run $11,500/year on the low end.
San Diego
CA
$21,200
avg tuition/year
San Francisco
CA
$34,200
avg tuition/year
Tuition by School Type & Grade
| Category | San Diego | San Francisco | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Schools (Average) | $21,200/yr | $34,200/yr | -$13,000 |
| Religious Schools | $11,500/yr | $16,000/yr | -$4,500 |
| Independent/Prep | $36,500/yr | $52,000/yr | -$15,500 |
| Elementary (K-5) | $17,500/yr | $28,000/yr | -$10,500 |
| Middle School (6-8) | $21,200/yr | $34,200/yr | -$13,000 |
| High School (9-12) | $26,000/yr | $42,000/yr | -$16,000 |
K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)
San Diego
$275,600
San Francisco
$444,600
Choosing San Diego saves $169,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $338,000.
Sample Schools
San Diego
Bishop's School
Independent · 7–12 · $43,200/yr
La Jolla Country Day School
Independent · PK–12 · $38,800-$41,200/yr
Francis Parker School
Independent · K–12 · $36,400-$38,800/yr
Cathedral Catholic High School
Catholic · 9–12 · $19,800/yr
San Francisco
San Francisco University High School
Independent · 9–12 · $56,830/yr
The Urban School of San Francisco
Independent · 9–12 · $56,200/yr
Katherine Delmar Burke School
Independent · K–8 · $48,900/yr
St. Ignatius College Preparatory
Catholic · 9–12 · $24,600/yr
Related Comparisons
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.