Is private school cheaper in San Jose or Sunnyvale?

Sunnyvale has lower average private school tuition at $21,600/year vs $25,200/year in San Jose. That's $3,600/year less, or $46,800 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Sunnyvale is $3,600/year less than San Jose. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $46,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $13,800/year in San Jose, $14,100/year in Sunnyvale.

How do San Jose and Sunnyvale 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). Sunnyvale averages $21,600/year ($9,250 above average).

Private School Cost: San Jose vs Sunnyvale

Sunnyvale averages $3,600/year less for private school (17% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $46,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Sunnyvale is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $21,600/year vs $25,200/year in San Jose. Religious schools run $13,800/year on the low end.

San Jose

$25,200

avg tuition/year

$12,850 above national avg

Sunnyvale

$21,600

avg tuition/year

$9,250 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	San Jose	Sunnyvale	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$25,200/yr	$21,600/yr	+$3,600
Religious Schools	$13,800/yr	$14,100/yr	-$300
Independent/Prep	$40,500/yr	$42,100/yr	-$1,600
Elementary (K-5)	$20,500/yr	$18,400/yr	+$2,100
Middle School (6-8)	$25,200/yr	$21,600/yr	+$3,600
High School (9-12)	$31,200/yr	$25,900/yr	+$5,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

San Jose

$327,600

Sunnyvale

$280,800

Choosing Sunnyvale saves $46,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $93,600.

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

Sunnyvale

Archbishop Mitty High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $26,800/yr

Stratford School (Sunnyvale)

Independent · PK–8 · $24,200-$27,600/yr

Full San Jose breakdown → Full Sunnyvale breakdown →

California 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.