Is private school cheaper in Anchorage or Irvine?

Anchorage has lower average private school tuition at $11,900/year vs $20,400/year in Irvine. That's $8,500/year less, or $110,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Anchorage is $8,500/year less than Irvine. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $110,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,900/year in Anchorage, $13,300/year in Irvine.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Anchorage averages $11,900/year ($450 below average). Irvine averages $20,400/year ($8,050 above average).

Private School Cost: Anchorage vs Irvine

Anchorage averages $8,500/year less for private school (71% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $110,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Anchorage is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,900/year vs $20,400/year in Irvine. Religious schools run $7,900/year on the low end.

Anchorage

$11,900

avg tuition/year

$450 below national avg

Lower cost

Irvine

$20,400

avg tuition/year

$8,050 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Anchorage	Irvine	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,900/yr	$20,400/yr	-$8,500
Religious Schools	$7,900/yr	$13,300/yr	-$5,400
Independent/Prep	$21,500/yr	$39,700/yr	-$18,200
Elementary (K-5)	$10,100/yr	$17,300/yr	-$7,200
Middle School (6-8)	$11,900/yr	$20,400/yr	-$8,500
High School (9-12)	$14,300/yr	$24,500/yr	-$10,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Anchorage

$154,700

Irvine

$265,200

Choosing Anchorage saves $110,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $221,000.

Sample Schools

Anchorage

Pacific Northern Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $14,800/yr

Holy Rosary Academy (Anchorage)

Catholic · PK–8 · $9,600-$11,800/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 Anchorage breakdown → Full Irvine breakdown →

Alaska private school costs California private school costs

Related Comparisons

Irvine vs Los Angeles →

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.