Is private school cheaper in Centennial or Irvine?

Centennial has lower average private school tuition at $13,700/year vs $20,400/year in Irvine. That's $6,700/year less, or $87,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Centennial is $6,700/year less than Irvine. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $87,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,900/year in Centennial, $13,300/year in Irvine.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Centennial averages $13,700/year ($1,350 above average). Irvine averages $20,400/year ($8,050 above average).

Private School Cost: Centennial vs Irvine

Centennial averages $6,700/year less for private school (49% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $87,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Centennial is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,700/year vs $20,400/year in Irvine. Religious schools run $8,900/year on the low end.

Centennial

$13,700

avg tuition/year

$1,350 above national avg

Lower cost

Irvine

$20,400

avg tuition/year

$8,050 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Centennial	Irvine	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$13,700/yr	$20,400/yr	-$6,700
Religious Schools	$8,900/yr	$13,300/yr	-$4,400
Independent/Prep	$27,000/yr	$39,700/yr	-$12,700
Elementary (K-5)	$11,600/yr	$17,300/yr	-$5,700
Middle School (6-8)	$13,700/yr	$20,400/yr	-$6,700
High School (9-12)	$16,400/yr	$24,500/yr	-$8,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Centennial

$178,100

Irvine

$265,200

Choosing Centennial saves $87,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $174,200.

Sample Schools

Centennial

Arapahoe Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $10,400-$12,800/yr

Cherry Creek Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $9,800-$12,200/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 Centennial breakdown → Full Irvine breakdown →

Colorado private school costs California private school costs

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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.