Is private school cheaper in San Diego or Tampa?

Tampa has lower average private school tuition at $12,500/year vs $21,200/year in San Diego. That's $8,700/year less, or $113,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Tampa is $8,700/year less than San Diego. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $113,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $11,500/year in San Diego, $8,200/year in Tampa.

How do San Diego and Tampa 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). Tampa averages $12,500/year ($150 above average).

Private School Cost: San Diego vs Tampa

Tampa averages $8,700/year less for private school (70% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $113,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Tampa is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $12,500/year vs $21,200/year in San Diego. Religious schools run $8,200/year on the low end.

San Diego

$21,200

avg tuition/year

$8,850 above national avg

Tampa

$12,500

avg tuition/year

$150 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	San Diego	Tampa	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$21,200/yr	$12,500/yr	+$8,700
Religious Schools	$11,500/yr	$8,200/yr	+$3,300
Independent/Prep	$36,500/yr	$23,500/yr	+$13,000
Elementary (K-5)	$17,500/yr	$10,200/yr	+$7,300
Middle School (6-8)	$21,200/yr	$12,500/yr	+$8,700
High School (9-12)	$26,000/yr	$15,500/yr	+$10,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

San Diego

$275,600

Tampa

$162,500

Choosing Tampa saves $113,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $226,200.

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

Tampa

Academy at the Lakes

Independent · PK–12 · $23,800-$26,200/yr

Jesuit High School (Tampa)

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,800/yr

Berkeley Preparatory School

Independent · PK–12 · $27,200-$29,800/yr

Tampa Prep

Independent · 6–12 · $22,400-$24,200/yr

Full San Diego breakdown → Full Tampa breakdown →

California private school costs Florida private school costs

Related Comparisons

Los Angeles vs San Diego → Miami vs Tampa → Tampa vs Orlando →

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.