Is private school cheaper in San Francisco or Washington DC?

Washington DC has lower average private school tuition at $28,400/year vs $34,200/year in San Francisco. That's $5,800/year less, or $75,400 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Washington DC is $5,800/year less than San Francisco. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $75,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $16,000/year in San Francisco, $15,200/year in Washington DC.

How do San Francisco and Washington DC 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). Washington DC averages $28,400/year ($16,050 above average).

Private School Cost: San Francisco vs Washington DC

Washington DC averages $5,800/year less for private school (20% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $75,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Washington DC is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $28,400/year vs $34,200/year in San Francisco. Religious schools run $15,200/year on the low end.

San Francisco

$34,200

avg tuition/year

$21,850 above national avg

Washington DC

$28,400

avg tuition/year

$16,050 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	San Francisco	Washington DC	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$34,200/yr	$28,400/yr	+$5,800
Religious Schools	$16,000/yr	$15,200/yr	+$800
Independent/Prep	$52,000/yr	$46,000/yr	+$6,000
Elementary (K-5)	$28,000/yr	$23,000/yr	+$5,000
Middle School (6-8)	$34,200/yr	$28,400/yr	+$5,800
High School (9-12)	$42,000/yr	$35,500/yr	+$6,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

San Francisco

$444,600

Washington DC

$369,200

Choosing Washington DC saves $75,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $150,800.

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

Washington DC

Sidwell Friends School

Independent (Quaker) · PK–12 · $52,900/yr

Georgetown Day School

Independent · PK–12 · $51,400/yr

National Cathedral School

Independent · 4–12 · $50,200/yr

Gonzaga College High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $25,400/yr

Full San Francisco breakdown → Full Washington DC breakdown →

California private school costs District of Columbia 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.