Is private school cheaper in San Jose or Seattle?

Seattle has lower average private school tuition at $24,500/year vs $25,200/year in San Jose. That's $700/year less, or $9,100 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Seattle over San Jose?

Average tuition in Seattle is $700/year less than San Jose. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $9,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $13,800/year in San Jose, $13,200/year in Seattle.

How do San Jose and Seattle private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. San Jose averages $25,200/year ($12,850 above average). Seattle averages $24,500/year ($12,150 above average).

Private School Cost: San Jose vs Seattle

Seattle averages $700/year less for private school (3% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $9,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Seattle is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $24,500/year vs $25,200/year in San Jose. Religious schools run $13,200/year on the low end.

San Jose

$25,200

avg tuition/year

$12,850 above national avg

Seattle

$24,500

avg tuition/year

$12,150 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	San Jose	Seattle	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$25,200/yr	$24,500/yr	+$700
Religious Schools	$13,800/yr	$13,200/yr	+$600
Independent/Prep	$40,500/yr	$38,000/yr	+$2,500
Elementary (K-5)	$20,500/yr	$20,000/yr	+$500
Middle School (6-8)	$25,200/yr	$24,500/yr	+$700
High School (9-12)	$31,200/yr	$30,500/yr	+$700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

San Jose

$327,600

Seattle

$318,500

Choosing Seattle saves $9,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $18,200.

Sample Schools

San Jose

Harker School

Independent · K–12 · $48,200-$51,600/yr

Bellarmine College Preparatory

Catholic · 9–12 · $22,800/yr

Archbishop Mitty High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $21,400/yr

Presentation High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $20,800/yr

Seattle

University Prep

Independent · 6–12 · $42,800/yr

Northwest School

Independent · 6–12 · $39,400/yr

Seattle Prep

Catholic · 9–12 · $21,200/yr

O'Dea High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,800/yr

Full San Jose breakdown → Full Seattle breakdown →

California private school costs Washington private school costs

Related Comparisons

Los Angeles vs San Jose → San Francisco vs San Jose → Seattle vs Portland → Seattle vs Denver →

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.