Is private school cheaper in San Jose or Tampa?

Tampa has lower average private school tuition at $12,500/year vs $25,200/year in San Jose. That's $12,700/year less, or $165,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Tampa is $12,700/year less than San Jose. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $165,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $13,800/year in San Jose, $8,200/year in Tampa.

How do San Jose and Tampa 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). Tampa averages $12,500/year ($150 above average).

Private School Cost: San Jose vs Tampa

Tampa averages $12,700/year less for private school (102% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $165,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Tampa is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $12,500/year vs $25,200/year in San Jose. Religious schools run $8,200/year on the low end.

San Jose

$25,200

avg tuition/year

$12,850 above national avg

Tampa

$12,500

avg tuition/year

$150 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	San Jose	Tampa	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$25,200/yr	$12,500/yr	+$12,700
Religious Schools	$13,800/yr	$8,200/yr	+$5,600
Independent/Prep	$40,500/yr	$23,500/yr	+$17,000
Elementary (K-5)	$20,500/yr	$10,200/yr	+$10,300
Middle School (6-8)	$25,200/yr	$12,500/yr	+$12,700
High School (9-12)	$31,200/yr	$15,500/yr	+$15,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

San Jose

$327,600

Tampa

$162,500

Choosing Tampa saves $165,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $330,200.

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

Tampa

Academy at the Lakes

Independent · PK–12 · $23,800-$26,200/yr

Jesuit High School (Tampa)

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,800/yr

Berkeley Preparatory School

Independent · PK–12 · $27,200-$29,800/yr

Tampa Prep

Independent · 6–12 · $22,400-$24,200/yr

Full San Jose breakdown → Full Tampa breakdown →

California private school costs Florida private school costs

Related Comparisons

Los Angeles vs San Jose → San Francisco vs San Jose → Miami vs Tampa → Tampa vs Orlando →

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.