Is private school cheaper in Santa Clarita or Waterbury?

Santa Clarita has lower average private school tuition at $18,000/year vs $20,500/year in Waterbury. That's $2,500/year less, or $32,500 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Santa Clarita over Waterbury?

Average tuition in Santa Clarita is $2,500/year less than Waterbury. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $32,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $11,700/year in Santa Clarita, $11,300/year in Waterbury.

How do Santa Clarita and Waterbury private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Santa Clarita averages $18,000/year ($5,650 above average). Waterbury averages $20,500/year ($8,150 above average).

Private School Cost: Santa Clarita vs Waterbury

Santa Clarita averages $2,500/year less for private school (14% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $32,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Santa Clarita is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $18,000/year vs $20,500/year in Waterbury. Religious schools run $11,300/year on the low end.

Santa Clarita

$18,000

avg tuition/year

$5,650 above national avg

Lower cost

Waterbury

$20,500

avg tuition/year

$8,150 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Santa Clarita	Waterbury	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,000/yr	$20,500/yr	-$2,500
Religious Schools	$11,700/yr	$11,300/yr	+$400
Independent/Prep	$35,100/yr	$40,800/yr	-$5,700
Elementary (K-5)	$15,300/yr	$17,400/yr	-$2,100
Middle School (6-8)	$18,000/yr	$20,500/yr	-$2,500
High School (9-12)	$21,600/yr	$24,600/yr	-$3,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Santa Clarita

$234,000

Waterbury

$266,500

Choosing Santa Clarita saves $32,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $65,000.

Sample Schools

Santa Clarita

The Masters School (Santa Clarita)

Christian · K–12 · $14,800/yr

West Ranch Academy

Independent · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

Waterbury

Holy Cross High School (Waterbury)

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Crosby High School (Waterbury)

Independent · 9–12 · $9,800/yr

Full Santa Clarita breakdown → Full Waterbury breakdown →

California private school costs Connecticut private school costs

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.