Is private school cheaper in Bellevue or Lakeland?

Lakeland has lower average private school tuition at $9,600/year vs $18,600/year in Bellevue. That's $9,000/year less, or $117,000 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Lakeland over Bellevue?

Average tuition in Lakeland is $9,000/year less than Bellevue. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $117,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $12,700/year in Bellevue, $6,600/year in Lakeland.

How do Bellevue and Lakeland private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Bellevue averages $18,600/year ($6,250 above average). Lakeland averages $9,600/year ($2,750 below average).

Private School Cost: Bellevue vs Lakeland

Lakeland averages $9,000/year less for private school (94% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $117,000 per child.

Bottom Line

Lakeland is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,600/year vs $18,600/year in Bellevue. Religious schools run $6,600/year on the low end.

Bellevue

$18,600

avg tuition/year

$6,250 above national avg

Lakeland

$9,600

avg tuition/year

$2,750 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Bellevue	Lakeland	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,600/yr	$9,600/yr	+$9,000
Religious Schools	$12,700/yr	$6,600/yr	+$6,100
Independent/Prep	$39,700/yr	$19,800/yr	+$19,900
Elementary (K-5)	$15,800/yr	$8,200/yr	+$7,600
Middle School (6-8)	$18,600/yr	$9,600/yr	+$9,000
High School (9-12)	$22,300/yr	$11,500/yr	+$10,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Bellevue

$241,800

Lakeland

$124,800

Choosing Lakeland saves $117,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $234,000.

Sample Schools

Bellevue

The Overlake School

Independent · 5–12 · $37,800/yr

Bellevue Christian School

Christian · PK–12 · $14,200/yr

Bellarmine Preparatory School (Tacoma)

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,400/yr

Lakeland

All Saints Academy (Lakeland)

Catholic · PK–12 · $13,800/yr

Victory Christian School (Lakeland)

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Full Bellevue breakdown → Full Lakeland breakdown →

Washington private school costs Florida 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.