Is private school cheaper in Irvine or Minneapolis?

Minneapolis has lower average private school tuition at $15,000/year vs $20,400/year in Irvine. That's $5,400/year less, or $70,200 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Minneapolis is $5,400/year less than Irvine. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $70,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $13,300/year in Irvine, $9,200/year in Minneapolis.

How do Irvine and Minneapolis 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). Minneapolis averages $15,000/year ($2,650 above average).

Private School Cost: Irvine vs Minneapolis

Minneapolis averages $5,400/year less for private school (36% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $70,200 per child.

Bottom Line

Minneapolis is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $15,000/year vs $20,400/year in Irvine. Religious schools run $9,200/year on the low end.

Irvine

$20,400

avg tuition/year

$8,050 above national avg

Minneapolis

$15,000

avg tuition/year

$2,650 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Irvine	Minneapolis	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$20,400/yr	$15,000/yr	+$5,400
Religious Schools	$13,300/yr	$9,200/yr	+$4,100
Independent/Prep	$39,700/yr	$27,500/yr	+$12,200
Elementary (K-5)	$17,300/yr	$12,200/yr	+$5,100
Middle School (6-8)	$20,400/yr	$15,000/yr	+$5,400
High School (9-12)	$24,500/yr	$18,500/yr	+$6,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Irvine

$265,200

Minneapolis

$195,000

Choosing Minneapolis saves $70,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $140,400.

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

Minneapolis

Blake School

Independent · PK–12 · $34,800-$37,200/yr

Breck School

Independent · PK–12 · $28,400/yr

Minnehaha Academy

Christian · PK–12 · $16,200-$17,800/yr

De La Salle High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $15,800/yr

Full Irvine breakdown → Full Minneapolis breakdown →

California private school costs Minnesota private school costs

Related Comparisons

Irvine vs Los Angeles → Minneapolis vs Columbus →

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.