Is private school cheaper in Burlington or Irvine?

Burlington has lower average private school tuition at $18,200/year vs $20,400/year in Irvine. That's $2,200/year less, or $28,600 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Burlington over Irvine?

Average tuition in Burlington is $2,200/year less than Irvine. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $28,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $11,000/year in Burlington, $13,300/year in Irvine.

How do Burlington and Irvine private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Burlington averages $18,200/year ($5,850 above average). Irvine averages $20,400/year ($8,050 above average).

Private School Cost: Burlington vs Irvine

Burlington averages $2,200/year less for private school (12% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $28,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Burlington is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $18,200/year vs $20,400/year in Irvine. Religious schools run $11,000/year on the low end.

Burlington

$18,200

avg tuition/year

$5,850 above national avg

Lower cost

Irvine

$20,400

avg tuition/year

$8,050 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Burlington	Irvine	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,200/yr	$20,400/yr	-$2,200
Religious Schools	$11,000/yr	$13,300/yr	-$2,300
Independent/Prep	$39,800/yr	$39,700/yr	+$100
Elementary (K-5)	$15,500/yr	$17,300/yr	-$1,800
Middle School (6-8)	$18,200/yr	$20,400/yr	-$2,200
High School (9-12)	$21,800/yr	$24,500/yr	-$2,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Burlington

$236,600

Irvine

$265,200

Choosing Burlington saves $28,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $57,200.

Sample Schools

Burlington

Rice Memorial High School (Burlington VT)

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,200/yr

Champlain Valley Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Irvine

Sage Hill School

Independent · 9–12 · $45,200/yr

Woodbridge Village Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $16,800/yr

Our Lady Queen of Angels School

Catholic · K–8 · $10,400-$12,200/yr

Full Burlington breakdown → Full Irvine 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.