Private School Cost: Hartford vs Irvine
Irvine averages $7,600/year less for private school (37% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $98,800 per child.
Bottom Line
Irvine is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $20,400/year vs $28,000/year in Hartford. Religious schools run $13,300/year on the low end.
Hartford
CT
$28,000
avg tuition/year
Irvine
CA
$20,400
avg tuition/year
Tuition by School Type & Grade
| Category | Hartford | Irvine | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Schools (Average) | $28,000/yr | $20,400/yr | +$7,600 |
| Religious Schools | $15,800/yr | $13,300/yr | +$2,500 |
| Independent/Prep | $44,500/yr | $39,700/yr | +$4,800 |
| Elementary (K-5) | $22,800/yr | $17,300/yr | +$5,500 |
| Middle School (6-8) | $28,000/yr | $20,400/yr | +$7,600 |
| High School (9-12) | $35,000/yr | $24,500/yr | +$10,500 |
K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)
Hartford
$364,000
Irvine
$265,200
Choosing Irvine saves $98,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $197,600.
Sample Schools
Hartford
Kingswood Oxford School
Independent · 6–12 · $44,800-$47,200/yr
Loomis Chaffee School
Independent (Day) · 9–12 · $48,200/yr
Watkinson School
Independent · 6–12 · $36,800/yr
Northwest Catholic High School
Catholic · 9–12 · $17,800/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
Related Comparisons
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.