Private School Cost: Bellevue vs Portland
Portland averages $400/year less for private school (2% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $5,200 per child.
Bottom Line
Portland is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $18,200/year vs $18,600/year in Bellevue. Religious schools run $10,400/year on the low end.
Bellevue
WA
$18,600
avg tuition/year
Portland
OR
$18,200
avg tuition/year
Tuition by School Type & Grade
| Category | Bellevue | Portland | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Schools (Average) | $18,600/yr | $18,200/yr | +$400 |
| Religious Schools | $12,700/yr | $10,400/yr | +$2,300 |
| Independent/Prep | $39,700/yr | $31,500/yr | +$8,200 |
| Elementary (K-5) | $15,800/yr | $14,800/yr | +$1,000 |
| Middle School (6-8) | $18,600/yr | $18,200/yr | +$400 |
| High School (9-12) | $22,300/yr | $22,500/yr | -$200 |
K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)
Bellevue
$241,800
Portland
$236,600
Choosing Portland saves $5,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $10,400.
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
Portland
Catlin Gabel School
Independent · PK–12 · $38,400-$41,200/yr
Oregon Episcopal School
Independent · PK–12 · $34,800/yr
Jesuit High School (Portland)
Catholic · 9–12 · $19,200/yr
Central Catholic High School
Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr
Related Comparisons
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.