Is private school cheaper in Bend or Meridian?

Meridian has lower average private school tuition at $7,800/year vs $13,100/year in Bend. That's $5,300/year less, or $68,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Meridian is $5,300/year less than Bend. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $68,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,900/year in Bend, $5,300/year in Meridian.

How do Bend and Meridian 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). Meridian averages $7,800/year ($4,550 below average).

Private School Cost: Bend vs Meridian

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

Bottom Line

Meridian is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,800/year vs $13,100/year in Bend. Religious schools run $5,300/year on the low end.

Bend

$13,100

avg tuition/year

$750 above national avg

Meridian

$7,800

avg tuition/year

$4,550 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Bend	Meridian	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$13,100/yr	$7,800/yr	+$5,300
Religious Schools	$8,900/yr	$5,300/yr	+$3,600
Independent/Prep	$26,500/yr	$15,100/yr	+$11,400
Elementary (K-5)	$11,100/yr	$6,600/yr	+$4,500
Middle School (6-8)	$13,100/yr	$7,800/yr	+$5,300
High School (9-12)	$15,700/yr	$9,400/yr	+$6,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Bend

$170,300

Meridian

$101,400

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

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

Meridian

Nampa Christian Schools

Christian · K–12 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

Victory Charter School (Meridian)

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

Full Bend breakdown → Full Meridian breakdown →

Oregon private school costs Idaho 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.