Is private school cheaper in Irvine or Los Angeles?

Irvine has lower average private school tuition at $20,400/year vs $26,800/year in Los Angeles. That's $6,400/year less, or $83,200 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Irvine is $6,400/year less than Los Angeles. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $83,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $13,300/year in Irvine, $13,500/year in Los Angeles.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Irvine averages $20,400/year ($8,050 above average). Los Angeles averages $26,800/year ($14,450 above average).

Private School Cost: Irvine vs Los Angeles

Irvine averages $6,400/year less for private school (31% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $83,200 per child.

Bottom Line

Irvine is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $20,400/year vs $26,800/year in Los Angeles. Religious schools run $13,300/year on the low end.

Irvine

$20,400

avg tuition/year

$8,050 above national avg

Lower cost

Los Angeles

$26,800

avg tuition/year

$14,450 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Irvine	Los Angeles	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$20,400/yr	$26,800/yr	-$6,400
Religious Schools	$13,300/yr	$13,500/yr	-$200
Independent/Prep	$39,700/yr	$42,000/yr	-$2,300
Elementary (K-5)	$17,300/yr	$22,000/yr	-$4,700
Middle School (6-8)	$20,400/yr	$26,800/yr	-$6,400
High School (9-12)	$24,500/yr	$32,000/yr	-$7,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Irvine

$265,200

Los Angeles

$348,400

Choosing Irvine saves $83,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $166,400.

Sample Schools

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

Los Angeles

Harvard-Westlake School

Independent · 7–12 · $47,890/yr

Crossroads School for Arts & Sciences

Independent · K–12 · $44,370/yr

Marlborough School

Independent · 7–12 · $44,800/yr

St. Monica Catholic School

Catholic · K–8 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

Full Irvine breakdown → Full Los Angeles breakdown →

California private school costs

Related Comparisons

Los Angeles vs San Francisco → Los Angeles vs San Diego → Los Angeles vs San Jose → Los Angeles vs Phoenix →

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.