Is private school cheaper in Santa Rosa or Westminster?

Westminster has lower average private school tuition at $13,100/year vs $17,600/year in Santa Rosa. That's $4,500/year less, or $58,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Westminster is $4,500/year less than Santa Rosa. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $58,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $11,400/year in Santa Rosa, $8,500/year in Westminster.

How do Santa Rosa and Westminster 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). Westminster averages $13,100/year ($750 above average).

Private School Cost: Santa Rosa vs Westminster

Westminster averages $4,500/year less for private school (34% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $58,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Westminster is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,100/year vs $17,600/year in Santa Rosa. Religious schools run $8,500/year on the low end.

Santa Rosa

$17,600

avg tuition/year

$5,250 above national avg

Westminster

$13,100

avg tuition/year

$750 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Santa Rosa	Westminster	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$17,600/yr	$13,100/yr	+$4,500
Religious Schools	$11,400/yr	$8,500/yr	+$2,900
Independent/Prep	$34,200/yr	$25,700/yr	+$8,500
Elementary (K-5)	$15,000/yr	$11,100/yr	+$3,900
Middle School (6-8)	$17,600/yr	$13,100/yr	+$4,500
High School (9-12)	$21,100/yr	$15,700/yr	+$5,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Santa Rosa

$228,800

Westminster

$170,300

Choosing Westminster saves $58,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $117,000.

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

Westminster

Westminster Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Holy Trinity School (Westminster CO)

Catholic · K–8 · $8,200-$10,200/yr

Full Santa Rosa breakdown → Full Westminster breakdown →

California private school costs Colorado 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.