Is private school cheaper in Seattle or Stockton?

Stockton has lower average private school tuition at $13,800/year vs $24,500/year in Seattle. That's $10,700/year less, or $139,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Stockton is $10,700/year less than Seattle. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $139,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $13,200/year in Seattle, $9,000/year in Stockton.

How do Seattle and Stockton 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). Stockton averages $13,800/year ($1,450 above average).

Private School Cost: Seattle vs Stockton

Stockton averages $10,700/year less for private school (78% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $139,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Stockton is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,800/year vs $24,500/year in Seattle. Religious schools run $9,000/year on the low end.

Seattle

$24,500

avg tuition/year

$12,150 above national avg

Stockton

$13,800

avg tuition/year

$1,450 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Seattle	Stockton	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$24,500/yr	$13,800/yr	+$10,700
Religious Schools	$13,200/yr	$9,000/yr	+$4,200
Independent/Prep	$38,000/yr	$26,800/yr	+$11,200
Elementary (K-5)	$20,000/yr	$11,700/yr	+$8,300
Middle School (6-8)	$24,500/yr	$13,800/yr	+$10,700
High School (9-12)	$30,500/yr	$16,600/yr	+$13,900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Seattle

$318,500

Stockton

$179,400

Choosing Stockton saves $139,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $278,200.

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

Stockton

St. Mary's High School (Stockton)

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,200/yr

Stockton Christian School

Christian · PK–12 · $8,600-$10,200/yr

Full Seattle breakdown → Full Stockton 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.