Is private school cheaper in San Francisco or Santa Clarita?

Santa Clarita has lower average private school tuition at $18,000/year vs $34,200/year in San Francisco. That's $16,200/year less, or $210,600 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Santa Clarita over San Francisco?

Average tuition in Santa Clarita is $16,200/year less than San Francisco. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $210,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $16,000/year in San Francisco, $11,700/year in Santa Clarita.

How do San Francisco and Santa Clarita 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). Santa Clarita averages $18,000/year ($5,650 above average).

Private School Cost: San Francisco vs Santa Clarita

Santa Clarita averages $16,200/year less for private school (90% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $210,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Santa Clarita is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $18,000/year vs $34,200/year in San Francisco. Religious schools run $11,700/year on the low end.

San Francisco

$34,200

avg tuition/year

$21,850 above national avg

Santa Clarita

$18,000

avg tuition/year

$5,650 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	San Francisco	Santa Clarita	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$34,200/yr	$18,000/yr	+$16,200
Religious Schools	$16,000/yr	$11,700/yr	+$4,300
Independent/Prep	$52,000/yr	$35,100/yr	+$16,900
Elementary (K-5)	$28,000/yr	$15,300/yr	+$12,700
Middle School (6-8)	$34,200/yr	$18,000/yr	+$16,200
High School (9-12)	$42,000/yr	$21,600/yr	+$20,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

San Francisco

$444,600

Santa Clarita

$234,000

Choosing Santa Clarita saves $210,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $421,200.

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

Santa Clarita

The Masters School (Santa Clarita)

Christian · K–12 · $14,800/yr

West Ranch Academy

Independent · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

Full San Francisco breakdown → Full Santa Clarita breakdown →

California 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.