Is private school cheaper in Seattle or Simi Valley?

Simi Valley has lower average private school tuition at $17,200/year vs $24,500/year in Seattle. That's $7,300/year less, or $94,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Simi Valley is $7,300/year less than Seattle. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $94,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $13,200/year in Seattle, $11,200/year in Simi Valley.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Seattle averages $24,500/year ($12,150 above average). Simi Valley averages $17,200/year ($4,850 above average).

Private School Cost: Seattle vs Simi Valley

Simi Valley averages $7,300/year less for private school (42% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $94,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Simi Valley is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $17,200/year vs $24,500/year in Seattle. Religious schools run $11,200/year on the low end.

Seattle

$24,500

avg tuition/year

$12,150 above national avg

Simi Valley

$17,200

avg tuition/year

$4,850 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Seattle	Simi Valley	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$24,500/yr	$17,200/yr	+$7,300
Religious Schools	$13,200/yr	$11,200/yr	+$2,000
Independent/Prep	$38,000/yr	$33,600/yr	+$4,400
Elementary (K-5)	$20,000/yr	$14,600/yr	+$5,400
Middle School (6-8)	$24,500/yr	$17,200/yr	+$7,300
High School (9-12)	$30,500/yr	$20,600/yr	+$9,900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Seattle

$318,500

Simi Valley

$223,600

Choosing Simi Valley saves $94,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $189,800.

Sample Schools

Seattle

University Prep

Independent · 6–12 · $42,800/yr

Northwest School

Independent · 6–12 · $39,400/yr

Seattle Prep

Catholic · 9–12 · $21,200/yr

O'Dea High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,800/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 Seattle breakdown → Full Simi Valley breakdown →

Washington private school costs California private school costs

Related Comparisons

Seattle vs Portland → Seattle vs Denver →

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.