Is private school cheaper in Irvine or South Bend?

South Bend has lower average private school tuition at $7,400/year vs $20,400/year in Irvine. That's $13,000/year less, or $169,000 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in South Bend is $13,000/year less than Irvine. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $169,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $13,300/year in Irvine, $5,500/year in South Bend.

How do Irvine and South Bend 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). South Bend averages $7,400/year ($4,950 below average).

Private School Cost: Irvine vs South Bend

South Bend averages $13,000/year less for private school (176% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $169,000 per child.

Bottom Line

South Bend is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,400/year vs $20,400/year in Irvine. Religious schools run $5,500/year on the low end.

Irvine

$20,400

avg tuition/year

$8,050 above national avg

South Bend

$7,400

avg tuition/year

$4,950 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Irvine	South Bend	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$20,400/yr	$7,400/yr	+$13,000
Religious Schools	$13,300/yr	$5,500/yr	+$7,800
Independent/Prep	$39,700/yr	$15,400/yr	+$24,300
Elementary (K-5)	$17,300/yr	$6,300/yr	+$11,000
Middle School (6-8)	$20,400/yr	$7,400/yr	+$13,000
High School (9-12)	$24,500/yr	$8,900/yr	+$15,600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Irvine

$265,200

South Bend

$96,200

Choosing South Bend saves $169,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $338,000.

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

South Bend

Saint Joseph High School (South Bend)

Catholic · 9–12 · $9,600/yr

South Bend STEM Academy

Independent · K–12 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

Full Irvine breakdown → Full South Bend breakdown →

California private school costs Indiana 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.