Is private school cheaper in Abilene or Irvine?

Abilene has lower average private school tuition at $9,700/year vs $20,400/year in Irvine. That's $10,700/year less, or $139,100 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Abilene over Irvine?

Average tuition in Abilene is $10,700/year less than Irvine. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $139,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,600/year in Abilene, $13,300/year in Irvine.

How do Abilene and Irvine private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Abilene averages $9,700/year ($2,650 below average). Irvine averages $20,400/year ($8,050 above average).

Private School Cost: Abilene vs Irvine

Abilene averages $10,700/year less for private school (110% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $139,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Abilene is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,700/year vs $20,400/year in Irvine. Religious schools run $6,600/year on the low end.

Abilene

$9,700

avg tuition/year

$2,650 below national avg

Lower cost

Irvine

$20,400

avg tuition/year

$8,050 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Abilene	Irvine	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$9,700/yr	$20,400/yr	-$10,700
Religious Schools	$6,600/yr	$13,300/yr	-$6,700
Independent/Prep	$20,600/yr	$39,700/yr	-$19,100
Elementary (K-5)	$8,200/yr	$17,300/yr	-$9,100
Middle School (6-8)	$9,700/yr	$20,400/yr	-$10,700
High School (9-12)	$11,600/yr	$24,500/yr	-$12,900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Abilene

$126,100

Irvine

$265,200

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

Sample Schools

Abilene

Wylie Academy (Abilene)

Christian · K–12 · $8,800-$11,200/yr

St. Joseph School (Abilene)

Catholic · K–8 · $7,400-$9,000/yr

Irvine

Sage Hill School

Independent · 9–12 · $45,200/yr

Woodbridge Village Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $16,800/yr

Our Lady Queen of Angels School

Catholic · K–8 · $10,400-$12,200/yr

Full Abilene breakdown → Full Irvine breakdown →

Texas private school costs California private school costs

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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.