Is private school cheaper in San Diego or Springfield?

Springfield has lower average private school tuition at $11,100/year vs $21,200/year in San Diego. That's $10,100/year less, or $131,300 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Springfield over San Diego?

Average tuition in Springfield is $10,100/year less than San Diego. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $131,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $11,500/year in San Diego, $7,000/year in Springfield.

How do San Diego and Springfield private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. San Diego averages $21,200/year ($8,850 above average). Springfield averages $11,100/year ($1,250 below average).

Private School Cost: San Diego vs Springfield

Springfield averages $10,100/year less for private school (91% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $131,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Springfield is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,100/year vs $21,200/year in San Diego. Religious schools run $7,000/year on the low end.

San Diego

$21,200

avg tuition/year

$8,850 above national avg

Springfield

$11,100

avg tuition/year

$1,250 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	San Diego	Springfield	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$21,200/yr	$11,100/yr	+$10,100
Religious Schools	$11,500/yr	$7,000/yr	+$4,500
Independent/Prep	$36,500/yr	$25,700/yr	+$10,800
Elementary (K-5)	$17,500/yr	$9,400/yr	+$8,100
Middle School (6-8)	$21,200/yr	$11,100/yr	+$10,100
High School (9-12)	$26,000/yr	$13,300/yr	+$12,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

San Diego

$275,600

Springfield

$144,300

Choosing Springfield saves $131,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $262,600.

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

Springfield

Sacred Heart-Griffin High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $9,800/yr

Springfield Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $8,800-$10,600/yr

Full San Diego breakdown → Full Springfield breakdown →

California private school costs Illinois private school costs

Related Comparisons

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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.