Is private school cheaper in San Jose or Spokane?

Spokane has lower average private school tuition at $12,800/year vs $25,200/year in San Jose. That's $12,400/year less, or $161,200 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Spokane is $12,400/year less than San Jose. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $161,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $13,800/year in San Jose, $8,700/year in Spokane.

How do San Jose and Spokane 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). Spokane averages $12,800/year ($450 above average).

Private School Cost: San Jose vs Spokane

Spokane averages $12,400/year less for private school (97% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $161,200 per child.

Bottom Line

Spokane is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $12,800/year vs $25,200/year in San Jose. Religious schools run $8,700/year on the low end.

San Jose

$25,200

avg tuition/year

$12,850 above national avg

Spokane

$12,800

avg tuition/year

$450 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	San Jose	Spokane	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$25,200/yr	$12,800/yr	+$12,400
Religious Schools	$13,800/yr	$8,700/yr	+$5,100
Independent/Prep	$40,500/yr	$27,400/yr	+$13,100
Elementary (K-5)	$20,500/yr	$10,900/yr	+$9,600
Middle School (6-8)	$25,200/yr	$12,800/yr	+$12,400
High School (9-12)	$31,200/yr	$15,400/yr	+$15,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

San Jose

$327,600

Spokane

$166,400

Choosing Spokane saves $161,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $322,400.

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

Spokane

Gonzaga Preparatory School

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,400/yr

Spokane Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

Full San Jose breakdown → Full Spokane breakdown →

California private school costs Washington private school costs

Related Comparisons

Los Angeles vs San Jose → San Francisco vs San Jose →

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.