Is private school cheaper in Atlanta or Irvine?

Atlanta has lower average private school tuition at $15,200/year vs $20,400/year in Irvine. That's $5,200/year less, or $67,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Atlanta is $5,200/year less than Irvine. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $67,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,400/year in Atlanta, $13,300/year in Irvine.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Atlanta averages $15,200/year ($2,850 above average). Irvine averages $20,400/year ($8,050 above average).

Private School Cost: Atlanta vs Irvine

Atlanta averages $5,200/year less for private school (34% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $67,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Atlanta is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $15,200/year vs $20,400/year in Irvine. Religious schools run $9,400/year on the low end.

Atlanta

$15,200

avg tuition/year

$2,850 above national avg

Lower cost

Irvine

$20,400

avg tuition/year

$8,050 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Atlanta	Irvine	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$15,200/yr	$20,400/yr	-$5,200
Religious Schools	$9,400/yr	$13,300/yr	-$3,900
Independent/Prep	$28,500/yr	$39,700/yr	-$11,200
Elementary (K-5)	$12,500/yr	$17,300/yr	-$4,800
Middle School (6-8)	$15,200/yr	$20,400/yr	-$5,200
High School (9-12)	$18,800/yr	$24,500/yr	-$5,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Atlanta

$197,600

Irvine

$265,200

Choosing Atlanta saves $67,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $135,200.

Sample Schools

Atlanta

The Westminster Schools

Independent · 1–12 · $35,800-$38,400/yr

Pace Academy

Independent · K–12 · $34,200/yr

Lovett School

Independent · K–12 · $33,600/yr

Marist School Atlanta

Catholic · 7–12 · $19,400/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 Atlanta breakdown → Full Irvine breakdown →

Georgia private school costs California private school costs

Related Comparisons

Irvine vs Los Angeles → Atlanta vs Charlotte → Nashville vs Atlanta → Washington DC vs Atlanta →

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.