Is private school cheaper in Albany or Irvine?

Albany has lower average private school tuition at $19,700/year vs $20,400/year in Irvine. That's $700/year less, or $9,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Albany is $700/year less than Irvine. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $9,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $11,300/year in Albany, $13,300/year in Irvine.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Albany averages $19,700/year ($7,350 above average). Irvine averages $20,400/year ($8,050 above average).

Private School Cost: Albany vs Irvine

Albany averages $700/year less for private school (4% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $9,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Albany is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $19,700/year vs $20,400/year in Irvine. Religious schools run $11,300/year on the low end.

Albany

$19,700

avg tuition/year

$7,350 above national avg

Lower cost

Irvine

$20,400

avg tuition/year

$8,050 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Albany	Irvine	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$19,700/yr	$20,400/yr	-$700
Religious Schools	$11,300/yr	$13,300/yr	-$2,000
Independent/Prep	$41,900/yr	$39,700/yr	+$2,200
Elementary (K-5)	$16,700/yr	$17,300/yr	-$600
Middle School (6-8)	$19,700/yr	$20,400/yr	-$700
High School (9-12)	$23,600/yr	$24,500/yr	-$900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Albany

$256,100

Irvine

$265,200

Choosing Albany saves $9,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $18,200.

Sample Schools

Albany

Albany Academy (NY)

Independent · PK–12 · $28,400/yr

Vincentian Institute

Catholic · PK–12 · $12,800/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 Albany breakdown → Full Irvine breakdown →

New York 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.