Is private school cheaper in Bellevue or Lincoln?

Lincoln has lower average private school tuition at $7,200/year vs $18,600/year in Bellevue. That's $11,400/year less, or $148,200 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Lincoln is $11,400/year less than Bellevue. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $148,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $12,700/year in Bellevue, $5,000/year in Lincoln.

How do Bellevue and Lincoln 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). Lincoln averages $7,200/year ($5,150 below average).

Private School Cost: Bellevue vs Lincoln

Lincoln averages $11,400/year less for private school (158% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $148,200 per child.

Bottom Line

Lincoln is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,200/year vs $18,600/year in Bellevue. Religious schools run $5,000/year on the low end.

Bellevue

$18,600

avg tuition/year

$6,250 above national avg

Lincoln

$7,200

avg tuition/year

$5,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Bellevue	Lincoln	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,600/yr	$7,200/yr	+$11,400
Religious Schools	$12,700/yr	$5,000/yr	+$7,700
Independent/Prep	$39,700/yr	$15,600/yr	+$24,100
Elementary (K-5)	$15,800/yr	$6,100/yr	+$9,700
Middle School (6-8)	$18,600/yr	$7,200/yr	+$11,400
High School (9-12)	$22,300/yr	$8,600/yr	+$13,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Bellevue

$241,800

Lincoln

$93,600

Choosing Lincoln saves $148,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $296,400.

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

Lincoln

Lincoln Christian High School

Christian · K–12 · $9,600-$11,800/yr

Pius X High School (Lincoln)

Catholic · 9–12 · $8,800/yr

Full Bellevue breakdown → Full Lincoln breakdown →

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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.