Is private school cheaper in Dallas or Irvine?

Dallas has lower average private school tuition at $17,200/year vs $20,400/year in Irvine. That's $3,200/year less, or $41,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Dallas is $3,200/year less than Irvine. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $41,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,500/year in Dallas, $13,300/year in Irvine.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Dallas averages $17,200/year ($4,850 above average). Irvine averages $20,400/year ($8,050 above average).

Private School Cost: Dallas vs Irvine

Dallas averages $3,200/year less for private school (19% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $41,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Dallas is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $17,200/year vs $20,400/year in Irvine. Religious schools run $9,500/year on the low end.

Dallas

$17,200

avg tuition/year

$4,850 above national avg

Lower cost

Irvine

$20,400

avg tuition/year

$8,050 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Dallas	Irvine	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$17,200/yr	$20,400/yr	-$3,200
Religious Schools	$9,500/yr	$13,300/yr	-$3,800
Independent/Prep	$30,000/yr	$39,700/yr	-$9,700
Elementary (K-5)	$14,000/yr	$17,300/yr	-$3,300
Middle School (6-8)	$17,200/yr	$20,400/yr	-$3,200
High School (9-12)	$21,000/yr	$24,500/yr	-$3,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Dallas

$223,600

Irvine

$265,200

Choosing Dallas saves $41,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $83,200.

Sample Schools

Dallas

Greenhill School

Independent · PK–12 · $38,400-$41,200/yr

St. Mark's School of Texas

Independent · 1–12 · $38,200/yr

Hockaday School

Independent · PK–12 · $39,800/yr

Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas

Catholic · 9–12 · $21,800/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 Dallas breakdown → Full Irvine breakdown →

Texas private school costs California private school costs

Related Comparisons

Irvine vs Los Angeles → Houston vs Dallas → Dallas vs Austin → Dallas vs San Antonio →

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.