Private School Cost: San Francisco vs Topeka
Topeka averages $27,300/year less for private school (396% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $354,900 per child.
Bottom Line
Topeka is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,900/year vs $34,200/year in San Francisco. Religious schools run $4,800/year on the low end.
San Francisco
CA
$34,200
avg tuition/year
Topeka
KS
$6,900
avg tuition/year
Tuition by School Type & Grade
| Category | San Francisco | Topeka | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Schools (Average) | $34,200/yr | $6,900/yr | +$27,300 |
| Religious Schools | $16,000/yr | $4,800/yr | +$11,200 |
| Independent/Prep | $52,000/yr | $14,300/yr | +$37,700 |
| Elementary (K-5) | $28,000/yr | $5,900/yr | +$22,100 |
| Middle School (6-8) | $34,200/yr | $6,900/yr | +$27,300 |
| High School (9-12) | $42,000/yr | $8,300/yr | +$33,700 |
K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)
San Francisco
$444,600
Topeka
$89,700
Choosing Topeka saves $354,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $709,800.
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
Topeka
Topeka Collegiate School
Independent · K–8 · $12,400/yr
Hayden Catholic High School
Catholic · 9–12 · $9,400/yr
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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.