Private School Cost: San Francisco vs Visalia
Visalia averages $20,400/year less for private school (148% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $265,200 per child.
Bottom Line
Visalia is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,800/year vs $34,200/year in San Francisco. Religious schools run $9,000/year on the low end.
San Francisco
CA
$34,200
avg tuition/year
Visalia
CA
$13,800
avg tuition/year
Tuition by School Type & Grade
| Category | San Francisco | Visalia | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Schools (Average) | $34,200/yr | $13,800/yr | +$20,400 |
| Religious Schools | $16,000/yr | $9,000/yr | +$7,000 |
| Independent/Prep | $52,000/yr | $26,800/yr | +$25,200 |
| Elementary (K-5) | $28,000/yr | $11,700/yr | +$16,300 |
| Middle School (6-8) | $34,200/yr | $13,800/yr | +$20,400 |
| High School (9-12) | $42,000/yr | $16,600/yr | +$25,400 |
K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)
San Francisco
$444,600
Visalia
$179,400
Choosing Visalia saves $265,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $530,400.
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
Visalia
Redwood High School (Catholic)
Catholic · 9–12 · $11,200/yr
Valley Christian School (Visalia)
Christian · K–12 · $8,800-$10,400/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.