Is private school cheaper in San Francisco or Tucson?

Tucson has lower average private school tuition at $10,800/year vs $34,200/year in San Francisco. That's $23,400/year less, or $304,200 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Tucson is $23,400/year less than San Francisco. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $304,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $16,000/year in San Francisco, $7,200/year in Tucson.

How do San Francisco and Tucson 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). Tucson averages $10,800/year ($1,550 below average).

Private School Cost: San Francisco vs Tucson

Tucson averages $23,400/year less for private school (217% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $304,200 per child.

Bottom Line

Tucson is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,800/year vs $34,200/year in San Francisco. Religious schools run $7,200/year on the low end.

San Francisco

$34,200

avg tuition/year

$21,850 above national avg

Tucson

$10,800

avg tuition/year

$1,550 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	San Francisco	Tucson	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$34,200/yr	$10,800/yr	+$23,400
Religious Schools	$16,000/yr	$7,200/yr	+$8,800
Independent/Prep	$52,000/yr	$20,500/yr	+$31,500
Elementary (K-5)	$28,000/yr	$8,800/yr	+$19,200
Middle School (6-8)	$34,200/yr	$10,800/yr	+$23,400
High School (9-12)	$42,000/yr	$13,400/yr	+$28,600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

San Francisco

$444,600

Tucson

$140,400

Choosing Tucson saves $304,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $608,400.

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

Tucson

Basis Tucson North

Charter (Free) · 5–12

Salpointe Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

Pusch Ridge Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $10,200-$11,800/yr

Tanque Verde School

Public District · K–12

Full San Francisco breakdown → Full Tucson breakdown →

California private school costs Arizona 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.