Is private school cheaper in Austin or Irvine?

Austin has lower average private school tuition at $15,500/year vs $20,400/year in Irvine. That's $4,900/year less, or $63,700 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Austin is $4,900/year less than Irvine. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $63,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,400/year in Austin, $13,300/year in Irvine.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Austin averages $15,500/year ($3,150 above average). Irvine averages $20,400/year ($8,050 above average).

Private School Cost: Austin vs Irvine

Austin averages $4,900/year less for private school (32% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $63,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Austin is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $15,500/year vs $20,400/year in Irvine. Religious schools run $9,400/year on the low end.

Austin

$15,500

avg tuition/year

$3,150 above national avg

Lower cost

Irvine

$20,400

avg tuition/year

$8,050 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Austin	Irvine	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$15,500/yr	$20,400/yr	-$4,900
Religious Schools	$9,400/yr	$13,300/yr	-$3,900
Independent/Prep	$28,200/yr	$39,700/yr	-$11,500
Elementary (K-5)	$12,800/yr	$17,300/yr	-$4,500
Middle School (6-8)	$15,500/yr	$20,400/yr	-$4,900
High School (9-12)	$19,200/yr	$24,500/yr	-$5,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Austin

$201,500

Irvine

$265,200

Choosing Austin saves $63,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $127,400.

Sample Schools

Austin

St. Andrew's Episcopal School (Austin)

Independent · PK–12 · $32,800-$35,400/yr

Austin Preparatory School

Catholic · 6–12 · $14,200/yr

St. Michael's Catholic Academy

Catholic · 9–12 · $15,800/yr

Hyde Park Baptist School

Christian · PK–12 · $13,400-$15,200/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 Austin breakdown → Full Irvine breakdown →

Texas private school costs California private school costs

Related Comparisons

Irvine vs Los Angeles → Houston vs Austin → Dallas vs Austin → Austin vs San Antonio →

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.