Is private school cheaper in San Francisco or Westminster?

Westminster has lower average private school tuition at $13,100/year vs $34,200/year in San Francisco. That's $21,100/year less, or $274,300 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Westminster is $21,100/year less than San Francisco. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $274,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $16,000/year in San Francisco, $8,500/year in Westminster.

How do San Francisco and Westminster 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). Westminster averages $13,100/year ($750 above average).

Private School Cost: San Francisco vs Westminster

Westminster averages $21,100/year less for private school (161% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $274,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Westminster is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,100/year vs $34,200/year in San Francisco. Religious schools run $8,500/year on the low end.

San Francisco

$34,200

avg tuition/year

$21,850 above national avg

Westminster

$13,100

avg tuition/year

$750 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	San Francisco	Westminster	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$34,200/yr	$13,100/yr	+$21,100
Religious Schools	$16,000/yr	$8,500/yr	+$7,500
Independent/Prep	$52,000/yr	$25,700/yr	+$26,300
Elementary (K-5)	$28,000/yr	$11,100/yr	+$16,900
Middle School (6-8)	$34,200/yr	$13,100/yr	+$21,100
High School (9-12)	$42,000/yr	$15,700/yr	+$26,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

San Francisco

$444,600

Westminster

$170,300

Choosing Westminster saves $274,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $548,600.

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

Westminster

Westminster Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Holy Trinity School (Westminster CO)

Catholic · K–8 · $8,200-$10,200/yr

Full San Francisco breakdown → Full Westminster breakdown →

California private school costs Colorado 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.