Is private school cheaper in Athens or Orange County?

Athens has lower average private school tuition at $10,100/year vs $20,800/year in Orange County. That's $10,700/year less, or $139,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Athens is $10,700/year less than Orange County. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $139,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,000/year in Athens, $11,200/year in Orange County.

How do Athens and Orange County 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). Orange County averages $20,800/year ($8,450 above average).

Private School Cost: Athens vs Orange County

Athens averages $10,700/year less for private school (106% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $139,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Athens is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,100/year vs $20,800/year in Orange County. Religious schools run $7,000/year on the low end.

Athens

$10,100

avg tuition/year

$2,250 below national avg

Lower cost

Orange County

$20,800

avg tuition/year

$8,450 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Athens	Orange County	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$10,100/yr	$20,800/yr	-$10,700
Religious Schools	$7,000/yr	$11,200/yr	-$4,200
Independent/Prep	$20,500/yr	$34,800/yr	-$14,300
Elementary (K-5)	$8,600/yr	$17,000/yr	-$8,400
Middle School (6-8)	$10,100/yr	$20,800/yr	-$10,700
High School (9-12)	$12,100/yr	$25,500/yr	-$13,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Athens

$131,300

Orange County

$270,400

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

Sample Schools

Athens

Athens Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $18,200/yr

Prince Avenue Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $9,800-$12,200/yr

Orange County

Sage Hill School

Independent · 9–12 · $41,800/yr

Fairmont Preparatory Academy

Independent · 9–12 · $34,600-$37,200/yr

Calvary Chapel Academy

Christian · K–12 · $10,400-$12,800/yr

JSerra Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $22,400/yr

Full Athens breakdown → Full Orange County 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.