Is private school cheaper in Athens or Irvine?

Athens has lower average private school tuition at $10,100/year vs $20,400/year in Irvine. That's $10,300/year less, or $133,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Athens is $10,300/year less than Irvine. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $133,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,000/year in Athens, $13,300/year in Irvine.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Athens averages $10,100/year ($2,250 below average). Irvine averages $20,400/year ($8,050 above average).

Private School Cost: Athens vs Irvine

Athens averages $10,300/year less for private school (102% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $133,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Athens is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,100/year vs $20,400/year in Irvine. Religious schools run $7,000/year on the low end.

Athens

$10,100

avg tuition/year

$2,250 below national avg

Lower cost

Irvine

$20,400

avg tuition/year

$8,050 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Athens	Irvine	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$10,100/yr	$20,400/yr	-$10,300
Religious Schools	$7,000/yr	$13,300/yr	-$6,300
Independent/Prep	$20,500/yr	$39,700/yr	-$19,200
Elementary (K-5)	$8,600/yr	$17,300/yr	-$8,700
Middle School (6-8)	$10,100/yr	$20,400/yr	-$10,300
High School (9-12)	$12,100/yr	$24,500/yr	-$12,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Athens

$131,300

Irvine

$265,200

Choosing Athens saves $133,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $267,800.

Sample Schools

Athens

Athens Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $18,200/yr

Prince Avenue Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $9,800-$12,200/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 Athens breakdown → Full Irvine breakdown →

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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.