Is private school cheaper in Indianapolis or Irvine?

Indianapolis has lower average private school tuition at $12,000/year vs $20,400/year in Irvine. That's $8,400/year less, or $109,200 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Indianapolis is $8,400/year less than Irvine. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $109,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,800/year in Indianapolis, $13,300/year in Irvine.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Indianapolis averages $12,000/year ($350 below average). Irvine averages $20,400/year ($8,050 above average).

Private School Cost: Indianapolis vs Irvine

Indianapolis averages $8,400/year less for private school (70% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $109,200 per child.

Bottom Line

Indianapolis is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $12,000/year vs $20,400/year in Irvine. Religious schools run $7,800/year on the low end.

Indianapolis

$12,000

avg tuition/year

$350 below national avg

Lower cost

Irvine

$20,400

avg tuition/year

$8,050 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Indianapolis	Irvine	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$12,000/yr	$20,400/yr	-$8,400
Religious Schools	$7,800/yr	$13,300/yr	-$5,500
Independent/Prep	$22,500/yr	$39,700/yr	-$17,200
Elementary (K-5)	$9,800/yr	$17,300/yr	-$7,500
Middle School (6-8)	$12,000/yr	$20,400/yr	-$8,400
High School (9-12)	$14,800/yr	$24,500/yr	-$9,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Indianapolis

$156,000

Irvine

$265,200

Choosing Indianapolis saves $109,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $218,400.

Sample Schools

Indianapolis

Park Tudor School

Independent · PK–12 · $24,200-$26,800/yr

Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,800/yr

Bishop Chatard High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,200/yr

Cathedral High School (Indianapolis)

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/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 Indianapolis breakdown → Full Irvine breakdown →

Indiana private school costs California private school costs

Related Comparisons

Irvine vs Los Angeles → Chicago vs Indianapolis →

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.