Is private school cheaper in San Diego or Waterbury?

Waterbury has lower average private school tuition at $20,500/year vs $21,200/year in San Diego. That's $700/year less, or $9,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Waterbury is $700/year less than San Diego. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $9,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $11,500/year in San Diego, $11,300/year in Waterbury.

How do San Diego and Waterbury 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). Waterbury averages $20,500/year ($8,150 above average).

Private School Cost: San Diego vs Waterbury

Waterbury averages $700/year less for private school (3% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $9,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Waterbury is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $20,500/year vs $21,200/year in San Diego. Religious schools run $11,300/year on the low end.

San Diego

$21,200

avg tuition/year

$8,850 above national avg

Waterbury

$20,500

avg tuition/year

$8,150 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	San Diego	Waterbury	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$21,200/yr	$20,500/yr	+$700
Religious Schools	$11,500/yr	$11,300/yr	+$200
Independent/Prep	$36,500/yr	$40,800/yr	-$4,300
Elementary (K-5)	$17,500/yr	$17,400/yr	+$100
Middle School (6-8)	$21,200/yr	$20,500/yr	+$700
High School (9-12)	$26,000/yr	$24,600/yr	+$1,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

San Diego

$275,600

Waterbury

$266,500

Choosing Waterbury saves $9,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $18,200.

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

Waterbury

Holy Cross High School (Waterbury)

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Crosby High School (Waterbury)

Independent · 9–12 · $9,800/yr

Full San Diego breakdown → Full Waterbury breakdown →

California private school costs Connecticut private school costs

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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.