Is private school cheaper in Irvine or Philadelphia?

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

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

Average tuition in Philadelphia is $200/year less than Irvine. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $2,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $13,300/year in Irvine, $11,400/year in Philadelphia.

How do Irvine and Philadelphia 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). Philadelphia averages $20,200/year ($7,850 above average).

Private School Cost: Irvine vs Philadelphia

Philadelphia averages $200/year less for private school (1% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $2,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Philadelphia is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $20,200/year vs $20,400/year in Irvine. Religious schools run $11,400/year on the low end.

Irvine

$20,400

avg tuition/year

$8,050 above national avg

Philadelphia

$20,200

avg tuition/year

$7,850 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Irvine	Philadelphia	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$20,400/yr	$20,200/yr	+$200
Religious Schools	$13,300/yr	$11,400/yr	+$1,900
Independent/Prep	$39,700/yr	$36,000/yr	+$3,700
Elementary (K-5)	$17,300/yr	$16,500/yr	+$800
Middle School (6-8)	$20,400/yr	$20,200/yr	+$200
High School (9-12)	$24,500/yr	$25,000/yr	-$500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Irvine

$265,200

Philadelphia

$262,600

Choosing Philadelphia saves $2,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $5,200.

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

Philadelphia

Episcopal Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $40,800-$43,200/yr

The Haverford School

Independent · PK–12 · $41,200/yr

Germantown Friends School

Independent (Quaker) · K–12 · $38,600/yr

La Salle College High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $19,200/yr

Full Irvine breakdown → Full Philadelphia breakdown →

California private school costs Pennsylvania private school costs

Related Comparisons

Irvine vs Los Angeles → New York vs Philadelphia → Boston vs Philadelphia →

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.