Is private school cheaper in Irvine or Manchester?

Manchester has lower average private school tuition at $18,200/year vs $20,400/year in Irvine. That's $2,200/year less, or $28,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Manchester is $2,200/year less than Irvine. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $28,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $13,300/year in Irvine, $10,400/year in Manchester.

How do Irvine and Manchester 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). Manchester averages $18,200/year ($5,850 above average).

Private School Cost: Irvine vs Manchester

Manchester averages $2,200/year less for private school (12% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $28,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Manchester is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $18,200/year vs $20,400/year in Irvine. Religious schools run $10,400/year on the low end.

Irvine

$20,400

avg tuition/year

$8,050 above national avg

Manchester

$18,200

avg tuition/year

$5,850 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Irvine	Manchester	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$20,400/yr	$18,200/yr	+$2,200
Religious Schools	$13,300/yr	$10,400/yr	+$2,900
Independent/Prep	$39,700/yr	$39,300/yr	+$400
Elementary (K-5)	$17,300/yr	$15,500/yr	+$1,800
Middle School (6-8)	$20,400/yr	$18,200/yr	+$2,200
High School (9-12)	$24,500/yr	$21,800/yr	+$2,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Irvine

$265,200

Manchester

$236,600

Choosing Manchester saves $28,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $57,200.

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

Manchester

Manchester Central Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

Derryfield School (Manchester NH)

Independent · 6–12 · $27,400/yr

Full Irvine breakdown → Full Manchester breakdown →

California private school costs New Hampshire private school costs

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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.