Private Schools Cost in San Jose (2026)
Quick Answer
Partially verifiedPrivate school tuition in San Jose varies widely by school and year level, but a practical expectation is roughly USD 15,000-35,000+ per year for many K-12 private schools, with some schools above that. Verified examples in and around San Jose show annual tuition from about USD 16,000 at some Catholic schools to over USD 50,000 at some boarding/day independent schools.
Overview
In San Jose, private school costs depend mainly on the type of school: Catholic/parochial schools are often the lower-cost end of the market, while independent college-preparatory schools are usually higher. Most tuition is charged per academic year, and families should also expect extra costs such as application fees, registration or enrolment deposits, uniforms, books, technology fees, lunch, transport, athletics and optional after-school care. In practice, primary and secondary tuition in the wider San Jose market commonly sits in the mid five figures, although there are lower-cost faith-based options and higher-cost elite independent schools. For local context, San Jose is part of the broader Silicon Valley education market, where demand and household incomes tend to push fees above many other US regions. Some schools publish separate domestic and international fees, but many day schools charge the same base tuition regardless of nationality; international families may still face added costs for language support, visa-related administration, health insurance or homestay/boarding if relevant. Financial aid and need-based assistance are common at many independent schools, so the published tuition is not always what a family ultimately pays. Because tuition schedules are updated annually, families should check each school’s current official fee page before budgeting.
What It Costs
| Item | Cost | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Typical private school tuition in San Jose (annual, estimated market range)(per academic year) Estimated range based on typical published tuition levels for private K-12 day schools in the San Jose/Silicon Valley area, with Catholic schools often below this midpoint and independent schools often above it. | ~$15,000 – $35,000 | Estimated range |
| Bellarmine College Preparatory tuition(per academic year) Published tuition for attendance as a day student; additional fees may apply. | ~$29,250 – $29,250 | Estimated range |
| Presentation High School tuition(per academic year) Published annual tuition; school also notes additional fees and affordability options. | $25,850 – $25,850 | Verified from source |
| Archbishop Mitty High School tuition(per academic year) Published annual tuition; extra fees may apply. | ~$25,900 – $25,900 | Estimated range |
| Notre Dame High School San Jose tuition(per academic year) Published annual tuition; other fees may apply. | ~$16,150 – $16,150 | Estimated range |
| The Harker School tuition range(per academic year) Published tuition varies by grade/division and programme. | $37,900 – $56,900 | Verified from source |
What’s Typically Included
- Core tuition for the academic year
- Access to standard curriculum
- School community and student services as defined by each school
Variants & Configurations
Duration
Most tuition is charged per academic year, typically covering one school year of around 9-10 months.
How Fees Work
Usually billed annually or in instalments by term/month. Many schools also charge separate application fees, enrolment deposits and incidental fees.
Factors Affecting Price
- School type: Catholic/parochial schools are usually less expensive than independent college-preparatory schools
- Year level: nursery, lower school, middle school and upper school often have different fee schedules
- Included services: lunch, technology, books, transport, athletics and after-school care may or may not be included
- Financial aid availability: need-based grants can materially reduce the published tuition
- Boarding or international support: where offered, these can add substantially to the overall annual cost
Local Context
San Jose sits in the high-cost Silicon Valley market, so private school tuition often runs above many US averages. There is no tipping element for school tuition, and sales tax does not apply in the same way it would to retail purchases, but families should watch for separate mandatory and optional school charges. Costs can also differ between San Jose proper and neighbouring communities in Santa Clara County.
Some figures here are still being verified.
Where a verified figure isn’t available yet, we say so rather than guess. For the most current pricing, check the official source below.
All figures are in US dollars (USD) and are typically quoted per academic year unless stated otherwise.
Sources & References
Every price on this page is traced to a documented source. Last checked 24 September 2026.
- Presentation High School · provider
Published annual tuition and affordability information.
- The Harker School · provider
Published tuition by division/grade and financial aid information.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does private school usually cost in San Jose?+
A realistic working range is about USD 15,000-35,000+ per year for many private K-12 schools in San Jose. Catholic schools can be lower, while selective independent schools can run well above USD 35,000.
Are there lower-cost private school options in San Jose?+
Yes. Catholic and other faith-based schools are often cheaper than independent college-preparatory schools. Verified local examples include tuition around the mid-teens to mid-twenties of thousands of dollars per year.
Do private schools in San Jose charge different tuition for international students?+
Many day schools do not publish separate base tuition by nationality, but international families may face extra costs such as language support, health insurance, visa administration or boarding/homestay if relevant. If a school has a separate international fee, it should be checked on that school’s admissions page.
What extra costs should families budget for beyond tuition?+
Common extras include application fees, registration deposits, uniforms, textbooks, laptops or technology fees, lunch, transport, athletics, field trips and after-school care. These can add materially to the annual total.
Is financial aid available at San Jose private schools?+
Many independent and Catholic schools offer need-based aid or tuition assistance. Because of this, the published tuition may be higher than what some families actually pay.
How often do private school fees change?+
Usually once per academic year. Schools commonly revise tuition annually, so it is important to check the latest official tuition page when comparing options.
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Check current prices at the official source
The Harker School
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