Is private school cheaper in Centennial or Orange County?

Centennial has lower average private school tuition at $13,700/year vs $20,800/year in Orange County. That's $7,100/year less, or $92,300 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Centennial is $7,100/year less than Orange County. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $92,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,900/year in Centennial, $11,200/year in Orange County.

How do Centennial and Orange County 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). Orange County averages $20,800/year ($8,450 above average).

Private School Cost: Centennial vs Orange County

Centennial averages $7,100/year less for private school (52% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $92,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Centennial is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,700/year vs $20,800/year in Orange County. Religious schools run $8,900/year on the low end.

Centennial

$13,700

avg tuition/year

$1,350 above national avg

Lower cost

Orange County

$20,800

avg tuition/year

$8,450 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Centennial	Orange County	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$13,700/yr	$20,800/yr	-$7,100
Religious Schools	$8,900/yr	$11,200/yr	-$2,300
Independent/Prep	$27,000/yr	$34,800/yr	-$7,800
Elementary (K-5)	$11,600/yr	$17,000/yr	-$5,400
Middle School (6-8)	$13,700/yr	$20,800/yr	-$7,100
High School (9-12)	$16,400/yr	$25,500/yr	-$9,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Centennial

$178,100

Orange County

$270,400

Choosing Centennial saves $92,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $184,600.

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

Orange County

Sage Hill School

Independent · 9–12 · $41,800/yr

Fairmont Preparatory Academy

Independent · 9–12 · $34,600-$37,200/yr

Calvary Chapel Academy

Christian · K–12 · $10,400-$12,800/yr

JSerra Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $22,400/yr

Full Centennial breakdown → Full Orange County breakdown →

Colorado private school costs California 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.