Is private school cheaper in Bend or Independence?

Independence has lower average private school tuition at $8,100/year vs $13,100/year in Bend. That's $5,000/year less, or $65,000 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Independence over Bend?

Average tuition in Independence is $5,000/year less than Bend. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $65,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,900/year in Bend, $5,700/year in Independence.

How do Bend and Independence private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Bend averages $13,100/year ($750 above average). Independence averages $8,100/year ($4,250 below average).

Private School Cost: Bend vs Independence

Independence averages $5,000/year less for private school (62% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $65,000 per child.

Bottom Line

Independence is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,100/year vs $13,100/year in Bend. Religious schools run $5,700/year on the low end.

Bend

$13,100

avg tuition/year

$750 above national avg

Independence

$8,100

avg tuition/year

$4,250 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Bend	Independence	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$13,100/yr	$8,100/yr	+$5,000
Religious Schools	$8,900/yr	$5,700/yr	+$3,200
Independent/Prep	$26,500/yr	$18,900/yr	+$7,600
Elementary (K-5)	$11,100/yr	$6,900/yr	+$4,200
Middle School (6-8)	$13,100/yr	$8,100/yr	+$5,000
High School (9-12)	$15,700/yr	$9,700/yr	+$6,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Bend

$170,300

Independence

$105,300

Choosing Independence saves $65,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $130,000.

Sample Schools

Bend

Summit High School (Private Prep)

Independent · 9–12 · $12,800/yr

Cascade Christian High School (Bend)

Christian · 9–12 · $9,800-$12,200/yr

Independence

Van Horn Academy (Independence MO)

Independent · K–12 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

Truman Academy

Independent · K–12 · $8,400-$10,400/yr

Full Bend breakdown → Full Independence breakdown →

Oregon private school costs Missouri 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.