Is private school cheaper in Austin or Orange County?

Austin has lower average private school tuition at $15,500/year vs $20,800/year in Orange County. That's $5,300/year less, or $68,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Austin is $5,300/year less than Orange County. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $68,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,400/year in Austin, $11,200/year in Orange County.

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

Private School Cost: Austin vs Orange County

Austin averages $5,300/year less for private school (34% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $68,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Austin is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $15,500/year vs $20,800/year in Orange County. Religious schools run $9,400/year on the low end.

Austin

$15,500

avg tuition/year

$3,150 above national avg

Lower cost

Orange County

$20,800

avg tuition/year

$8,450 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Austin	Orange County	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$15,500/yr	$20,800/yr	-$5,300
Religious Schools	$9,400/yr	$11,200/yr	-$1,800
Independent/Prep	$28,200/yr	$34,800/yr	-$6,600
Elementary (K-5)	$12,800/yr	$17,000/yr	-$4,200
Middle School (6-8)	$15,500/yr	$20,800/yr	-$5,300
High School (9-12)	$19,200/yr	$25,500/yr	-$6,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Austin

$201,500

Orange County

$270,400

Choosing Austin saves $68,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $137,800.

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

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 Austin breakdown → Full Orange County breakdown →

Texas private school costs California private school costs

Related Comparisons

Houston vs Austin → Dallas vs Austin → Austin vs San Antonio → Austin vs Raleigh →

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.