Is private school cheaper in Fontana or Irvine?

Fontana has lower average private school tuition at $14,900/year vs $20,400/year in Irvine. That's $5,500/year less, or $71,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Fontana is $5,500/year less than Irvine. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $71,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,700/year in Fontana, $13,300/year in Irvine.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Fontana averages $14,900/year ($2,550 above average). Irvine averages $20,400/year ($8,050 above average).

Private School Cost: Fontana vs Irvine

Fontana averages $5,500/year less for private school (37% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $71,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Fontana is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $14,900/year vs $20,400/year in Irvine. Religious schools run $9,700/year on the low end.

Fontana

$14,900

avg tuition/year

$2,550 above national avg

Lower cost

Irvine

$20,400

avg tuition/year

$8,050 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Fontana	Irvine	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$14,900/yr	$20,400/yr	-$5,500
Religious Schools	$9,700/yr	$13,300/yr	-$3,600
Independent/Prep	$29,000/yr	$39,700/yr	-$10,700
Elementary (K-5)	$12,700/yr	$17,300/yr	-$4,600
Middle School (6-8)	$14,900/yr	$20,400/yr	-$5,500
High School (9-12)	$17,900/yr	$24,500/yr	-$6,600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Fontana

$193,700

Irvine

$265,200

Choosing Fontana saves $71,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $143,000.

Sample Schools

Fontana

Fontana Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $8,400-$10,800/yr

St. Joseph School (Fontana)

Catholic · K–8 · $7,600-$9,200/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 Fontana breakdown → Full Irvine breakdown →

California private school costs

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Irvine vs Los Angeles →

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.