Private School Cost: San Francisco vs Sunnyvale
Sunnyvale averages $12,600/year less for private school (58% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $163,800 per child.
Bottom Line
Sunnyvale is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $21,600/year vs $34,200/year in San Francisco. Religious schools run $14,100/year on the low end.
San Francisco
CA
$34,200
avg tuition/year
Sunnyvale
CA
$21,600
avg tuition/year
Tuition by School Type & Grade
| Category | San Francisco | Sunnyvale | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Schools (Average) | $34,200/yr | $21,600/yr | +$12,600 |
| Religious Schools | $16,000/yr | $14,100/yr | +$1,900 |
| Independent/Prep | $52,000/yr | $42,100/yr | +$9,900 |
| Elementary (K-5) | $28,000/yr | $18,400/yr | +$9,600 |
| Middle School (6-8) | $34,200/yr | $21,600/yr | +$12,600 |
| High School (9-12) | $42,000/yr | $25,900/yr | +$16,100 |
K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)
San Francisco
$444,600
Sunnyvale
$280,800
Choosing Sunnyvale saves $163,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $327,600.
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
Sunnyvale
Archbishop Mitty High School
Catholic · 9–12 · $26,800/yr
Stratford School (Sunnyvale)
Independent · PK–8 · $24,200-$27,600/yr
Related Comparisons
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.