Is private school cheaper in Irvine or Richmond?

Richmond has lower average private school tuition at $14,500/year vs $20,400/year in Irvine. That's $5,900/year less, or $76,700 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Richmond is $5,900/year less than Irvine. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $76,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $13,300/year in Irvine, $9,200/year in Richmond.

How do Irvine and Richmond 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). Richmond averages $14,500/year ($2,150 above average).

Private School Cost: Irvine vs Richmond

Richmond averages $5,900/year less for private school (41% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $76,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Richmond is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $14,500/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

Richmond

$14,500

avg tuition/year

$2,150 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Irvine	Richmond	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$20,400/yr	$14,500/yr	+$5,900
Religious Schools	$13,300/yr	$9,200/yr	+$4,100
Independent/Prep	$39,700/yr	$27,000/yr	+$12,700
Elementary (K-5)	$17,300/yr	$11,800/yr	+$5,500
Middle School (6-8)	$20,400/yr	$14,500/yr	+$5,900
High School (9-12)	$24,500/yr	$18,000/yr	+$6,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Irvine

$265,200

Richmond

$188,500

Choosing Richmond saves $76,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $153,400.

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

Richmond

St. Catherine's School (Richmond)

Independent · PK–12 · $28,800-$31,400/yr

St. Christopher's School

Independent · K–12 · $29,200-$31,800/yr

Collegiate School (Richmond)

Independent · PK–12 · $30,400-$32,800/yr

Benedictine College Preparatory

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,200/yr

Full Irvine breakdown → Full Richmond breakdown →

California private school costs Virginia 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.