Is private school cheaper in Santa Rosa or Simi Valley?

Simi Valley has lower average private school tuition at $17,200/year vs $17,600/year in Santa Rosa. That's $400/year less, or $5,200 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Simi Valley over Santa Rosa?

Average tuition in Simi Valley is $400/year less than Santa Rosa. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $5,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $11,400/year in Santa Rosa, $11,200/year in Simi Valley.

How do Santa Rosa and Simi Valley private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Santa Rosa averages $17,600/year ($5,250 above average). Simi Valley averages $17,200/year ($4,850 above average).

Private School Cost: Santa Rosa vs Simi Valley

Simi Valley averages $400/year less for private school (2% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $5,200 per child.

Bottom Line

Simi Valley is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $17,200/year vs $17,600/year in Santa Rosa. Religious schools run $11,200/year on the low end.

Santa Rosa

$17,600

avg tuition/year

$5,250 above national avg

Simi Valley

$17,200

avg tuition/year

$4,850 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Santa Rosa	Simi Valley	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$17,600/yr	$17,200/yr	+$400
Religious Schools	$11,400/yr	$11,200/yr	+$200
Independent/Prep	$34,200/yr	$33,600/yr	+$600
Elementary (K-5)	$15,000/yr	$14,600/yr	+$400
Middle School (6-8)	$17,600/yr	$17,200/yr	+$400
High School (9-12)	$21,100/yr	$20,600/yr	+$500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Santa Rosa

$228,800

Simi Valley

$223,600

Choosing Simi Valley saves $5,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $10,400.

Sample Schools

Santa Rosa

Cardinal Newman High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,200/yr

Rincon Valley Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $10,400-$12,800/yr

Simi Valley

Notre Dame High School (Sherman Oaks)

Catholic · 9–12 · $21,400/yr

Simi Valley Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

Full Santa Rosa breakdown → Full Simi Valley breakdown →

California 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.