Is private school cheaper in San Jose or Washington DC?

San Jose has lower average private school tuition at $25,200/year vs $28,400/year in Washington DC. That's $3,200/year less, or $41,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in San Jose is $3,200/year less than Washington DC. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $41,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $13,800/year in San Jose, $15,200/year in Washington DC.

How do San Jose and Washington DC 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). Washington DC averages $28,400/year ($16,050 above average).

Private School Cost: San Jose vs Washington DC

San Jose averages $3,200/year less for private school (13% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $41,600 per child.

Bottom Line

San Jose is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $25,200/year vs $28,400/year in Washington DC. Religious schools run $13,800/year on the low end.

San Jose

$25,200

avg tuition/year

$12,850 above national avg

Lower cost

Washington DC

$28,400

avg tuition/year

$16,050 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	San Jose	Washington DC	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$25,200/yr	$28,400/yr	-$3,200
Religious Schools	$13,800/yr	$15,200/yr	-$1,400
Independent/Prep	$40,500/yr	$46,000/yr	-$5,500
Elementary (K-5)	$20,500/yr	$23,000/yr	-$2,500
Middle School (6-8)	$25,200/yr	$28,400/yr	-$3,200
High School (9-12)	$31,200/yr	$35,500/yr	-$4,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

San Jose

$327,600

Washington DC

$369,200

Choosing San Jose saves $41,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $83,200.

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

Washington DC

Sidwell Friends School

Independent (Quaker) · PK–12 · $52,900/yr

Georgetown Day School

Independent · PK–12 · $51,400/yr

National Cathedral School

Independent · 4–12 · $50,200/yr

Gonzaga College High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $25,400/yr

Full San Jose breakdown → Full Washington DC breakdown →

California private school costs District of Columbia private school costs

Related Comparisons

Los Angeles vs San Jose → San Francisco vs San Jose → Washington DC vs Atlanta →

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.