Is private school cheaper in San Francisco or Sandy Springs?

Sandy Springs has lower average private school tuition at $13,300/year vs $34,200/year in San Francisco. That's $20,900/year less, or $271,700 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Sandy Springs over San Francisco?

Average tuition in Sandy Springs is $20,900/year less than San Francisco. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $271,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $16,000/year in San Francisco, $9,200/year in Sandy Springs.

How do San Francisco and Sandy Springs private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. San Francisco averages $34,200/year ($21,850 above average). Sandy Springs averages $13,300/year ($950 above average).

Private School Cost: San Francisco vs Sandy Springs

Sandy Springs averages $20,900/year less for private school (157% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $271,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Sandy Springs is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,300/year vs $34,200/year in San Francisco. Religious schools run $9,200/year on the low end.

San Francisco

$34,200

avg tuition/year

$21,850 above national avg

Sandy Springs

$13,300

avg tuition/year

$950 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	San Francisco	Sandy Springs	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$34,200/yr	$13,300/yr	+$20,900
Religious Schools	$16,000/yr	$9,200/yr	+$6,800
Independent/Prep	$52,000/yr	$26,900/yr	+$25,100
Elementary (K-5)	$28,000/yr	$11,300/yr	+$16,700
Middle School (6-8)	$34,200/yr	$13,300/yr	+$20,900
High School (9-12)	$42,000/yr	$16,000/yr	+$26,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

San Francisco

$444,600

Sandy Springs

$172,900

Choosing Sandy Springs saves $271,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $543,400.

Sample Schools

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

Sandy Springs

The Westminster Schools

Independent · PK–12 · $38,400/yr

Holy Innocents' Episcopal School

Independent (Episcopal) · PK–12 · $30,200/yr

Full San Francisco breakdown → Full Sandy Springs breakdown →

California private school costs Georgia private school costs

Related Comparisons

Los Angeles vs San Francisco → San Francisco vs San Jose → San Francisco vs Houston → San Francisco vs Phoenix →

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.