Is private school cheaper in Seattle or Sunnyvale?

Sunnyvale has lower average private school tuition at $21,600/year vs $24,500/year in Seattle. That's $2,900/year less, or $37,700 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Sunnyvale is $2,900/year less than Seattle. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $37,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $13,200/year in Seattle, $14,100/year in Sunnyvale.

How do Seattle and Sunnyvale 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). Sunnyvale averages $21,600/year ($9,250 above average).

Private School Cost: Seattle vs Sunnyvale

Sunnyvale averages $2,900/year less for private school (13% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $37,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Sunnyvale is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $21,600/year vs $24,500/year in Seattle. Religious schools run $13,200/year on the low end.

Seattle

$24,500

avg tuition/year

$12,150 above national avg

Sunnyvale

$21,600

avg tuition/year

$9,250 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Seattle	Sunnyvale	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$24,500/yr	$21,600/yr	+$2,900
Religious Schools	$13,200/yr	$14,100/yr	-$900
Independent/Prep	$38,000/yr	$42,100/yr	-$4,100
Elementary (K-5)	$20,000/yr	$18,400/yr	+$1,600
Middle School (6-8)	$24,500/yr	$21,600/yr	+$2,900
High School (9-12)	$30,500/yr	$25,900/yr	+$4,600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Seattle

$318,500

Sunnyvale

$280,800

Choosing Sunnyvale saves $37,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $75,400.

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

Sunnyvale

Archbishop Mitty High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $26,800/yr

Stratford School (Sunnyvale)

Independent · PK–8 · $24,200-$27,600/yr

Full Seattle breakdown → Full Sunnyvale 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.