Is private school cheaper in Sunnyvale or Tacoma?

Tacoma has lower average private school tuition at $13,700/year vs $21,600/year in Sunnyvale. That's $7,900/year less, or $102,700 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Tacoma is $7,900/year less than Sunnyvale. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $102,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $14,100/year in Sunnyvale, $9,400/year in Tacoma.

How do Sunnyvale and Tacoma private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Sunnyvale averages $21,600/year ($9,250 above average). Tacoma averages $13,700/year ($1,350 above average).

Private School Cost: Sunnyvale vs Tacoma

Tacoma averages $7,900/year less for private school (58% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $102,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Tacoma is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,700/year vs $21,600/year in Sunnyvale. Religious schools run $9,400/year on the low end.

Sunnyvale

$21,600

avg tuition/year

$9,250 above national avg

Tacoma

$13,700

avg tuition/year

$1,350 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Sunnyvale	Tacoma	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$21,600/yr	$13,700/yr	+$7,900
Religious Schools	$14,100/yr	$9,400/yr	+$4,700
Independent/Prep	$42,100/yr	$29,400/yr	+$12,700
Elementary (K-5)	$18,400/yr	$11,600/yr	+$6,800
Middle School (6-8)	$21,600/yr	$13,700/yr	+$7,900
High School (9-12)	$25,900/yr	$16,400/yr	+$9,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Sunnyvale

$280,800

Tacoma

$178,100

Choosing Tacoma saves $102,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $205,400.

Sample Schools

Sunnyvale

Archbishop Mitty High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $26,800/yr

Stratford School (Sunnyvale)

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

Tacoma

Charles Wright Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $28,400/yr

Bellarmine Preparatory School

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,400/yr

Full Sunnyvale breakdown → Full Tacoma breakdown →

California private school costs Washington 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.