Is private school cheaper in Irvine or Seattle?

Irvine has lower average private school tuition at $20,400/year vs $24,500/year in Seattle. That's $4,100/year less, or $53,300 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Irvine is $4,100/year less than Seattle. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $53,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $13,300/year in Irvine, $13,200/year in Seattle.

How do Irvine and Seattle 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). Seattle averages $24,500/year ($12,150 above average).

Private School Cost: Irvine vs Seattle

Irvine averages $4,100/year less for private school (20% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $53,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Irvine is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $20,400/year vs $24,500/year in Seattle. Religious schools run $13,200/year on the low end.

Irvine

$20,400

avg tuition/year

$8,050 above national avg

Lower cost

Seattle

$24,500

avg tuition/year

$12,150 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Irvine	Seattle	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$20,400/yr	$24,500/yr	-$4,100
Religious Schools	$13,300/yr	$13,200/yr	+$100
Independent/Prep	$39,700/yr	$38,000/yr	+$1,700
Elementary (K-5)	$17,300/yr	$20,000/yr	-$2,700
Middle School (6-8)	$20,400/yr	$24,500/yr	-$4,100
High School (9-12)	$24,500/yr	$30,500/yr	-$6,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Irvine

$265,200

Seattle

$318,500

Choosing Irvine saves $53,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $106,600.

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

Seattle

University Prep

Independent · 6–12 · $42,800/yr

Northwest School

Independent · 6–12 · $39,400/yr

Seattle Prep

Catholic · 9–12 · $21,200/yr

O'Dea High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,800/yr

Full Irvine breakdown → Full Seattle breakdown →

California private school costs Washington private school costs

Related Comparisons

Irvine vs Los Angeles → Seattle vs Portland → Seattle vs Denver →

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.