Is private school cheaper in Cleveland or Irvine?

Cleveland has lower average private school tuition at $11,200/year vs $20,400/year in Irvine. That's $9,200/year less, or $119,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Cleveland is $9,200/year less than Irvine. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $119,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,400/year in Cleveland, $13,300/year in Irvine.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Cleveland averages $11,200/year ($1,150 below average). Irvine averages $20,400/year ($8,050 above average).

Private School Cost: Cleveland vs Irvine

Cleveland averages $9,200/year less for private school (82% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $119,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Cleveland is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,200/year vs $20,400/year in Irvine. Religious schools run $7,400/year on the low end.

Cleveland

$11,200

avg tuition/year

$1,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Irvine

$20,400

avg tuition/year

$8,050 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Cleveland	Irvine	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,200/yr	$20,400/yr	-$9,200
Religious Schools	$7,400/yr	$13,300/yr	-$5,900
Independent/Prep	$21,000/yr	$39,700/yr	-$18,700
Elementary (K-5)	$9,200/yr	$17,300/yr	-$8,100
Middle School (6-8)	$11,200/yr	$20,400/yr	-$9,200
High School (9-12)	$13,800/yr	$24,500/yr	-$10,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Cleveland

$145,600

Irvine

$265,200

Choosing Cleveland saves $119,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $239,200.

Sample Schools

Cleveland

University School (Cleveland)

Independent · JK–12 · $26,400-$28,800/yr

Laurel School (Cleveland)

Independent · PK–12 · $24,800-$27,200/yr

St. Ignatius High School (Cleveland)

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,800/yr

St. Edward High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,200/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 Cleveland breakdown → Full Irvine breakdown →

Ohio 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.