Is private school cheaper in San Jose or Virginia Beach?

Virginia Beach has lower average private school tuition at $13,200/year vs $25,200/year in San Jose. That's $12,000/year less, or $156,000 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Virginia Beach is $12,000/year less than San Jose. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $156,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $13,800/year in San Jose, $8,600/year in Virginia Beach.

How do San Jose and Virginia Beach 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). Virginia Beach averages $13,200/year ($850 above average).

Private School Cost: San Jose vs Virginia Beach

Virginia Beach averages $12,000/year less for private school (91% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $156,000 per child.

Bottom Line

Virginia Beach is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,200/year vs $25,200/year in San Jose. Religious schools run $8,600/year on the low end.

San Jose

$25,200

avg tuition/year

$12,850 above national avg

Virginia Beach

$13,200

avg tuition/year

$850 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	San Jose	Virginia Beach	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$25,200/yr	$13,200/yr	+$12,000
Religious Schools	$13,800/yr	$8,600/yr	+$5,200
Independent/Prep	$40,500/yr	$24,500/yr	+$16,000
Elementary (K-5)	$20,500/yr	$10,800/yr	+$9,700
Middle School (6-8)	$25,200/yr	$13,200/yr	+$12,000
High School (9-12)	$31,200/yr	$16,200/yr	+$15,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

San Jose

$327,600

Virginia Beach

$171,600

Choosing Virginia Beach saves $156,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $312,000.

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

Virginia Beach

Norfolk Academy

Independent · 1–12 · $24,800-$27,200/yr

Cape Henry Collegiate School

Independent · PK–12 · $22,400-$24,800/yr

Bishop Sullivan Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,800/yr

Kellam High School (Public)

Public (Reference) · 9–12

Full San Jose breakdown → Full Virginia Beach breakdown →

California private school costs Virginia 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.