Is private school cheaper in Athens or Springfield?

Athens has lower average private school tuition at $10,100/year vs $11,100/year in Springfield. That's $1,000/year less, or $13,000 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Athens is $1,000/year less than Springfield. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $13,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,000/year in Athens, $7,000/year in Springfield.

How do Athens and Springfield 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). Springfield averages $11,100/year ($1,250 below average).

Private School Cost: Athens vs Springfield

Athens averages $1,000/year less for private school (10% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $13,000 per child.

Bottom Line

Athens is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,100/year vs $11,100/year in Springfield. Religious schools run $7,000/year on the low end.

Athens

$10,100

avg tuition/year

$2,250 below national avg

Lower cost

Springfield

$11,100

avg tuition/year

$1,250 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Athens	Springfield	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$10,100/yr	$11,100/yr	-$1,000
Religious Schools	$7,000/yr	$7,000/yr	Same
Independent/Prep	$20,500/yr	$25,700/yr	-$5,200
Elementary (K-5)	$8,600/yr	$9,400/yr	-$800
Middle School (6-8)	$10,100/yr	$11,100/yr	-$1,000
High School (9-12)	$12,100/yr	$13,300/yr	-$1,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Athens

$131,300

Springfield

$144,300

Choosing Athens saves $13,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $26,000.

Sample Schools

Athens

Athens Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $18,200/yr

Prince Avenue Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $9,800-$12,200/yr

Springfield

Sacred Heart-Griffin High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $9,800/yr

Springfield Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $8,800-$10,600/yr

Full Athens breakdown → Full Springfield breakdown →

Georgia private school costs Illinois private school costs

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.