Is private school cheaper in Irvine or Sparks?

Sparks has lower average private school tuition at $11,200/year vs $20,400/year in Irvine. That's $9,200/year less, or $119,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Sparks is $9,200/year less than Irvine. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $119,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $13,300/year in Irvine, $7,800/year in Sparks.

How do Irvine and Sparks 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). Sparks averages $11,200/year ($1,150 below average).

Private School Cost: Irvine vs Sparks

Sparks averages $9,200/year less for private school (82% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $119,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Sparks is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,200/year vs $20,400/year in Irvine. Religious schools run $7,800/year on the low end.

Irvine

$20,400

avg tuition/year

$8,050 above national avg

Sparks

$11,200

avg tuition/year

$1,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Irvine	Sparks	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$20,400/yr	$11,200/yr	+$9,200
Religious Schools	$13,300/yr	$7,800/yr	+$5,500
Independent/Prep	$39,700/yr	$22,500/yr	+$17,200
Elementary (K-5)	$17,300/yr	$9,500/yr	+$7,800
Middle School (6-8)	$20,400/yr	$11,200/yr	+$9,200
High School (9-12)	$24,500/yr	$13,400/yr	+$11,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Irvine

$265,200

Sparks

$145,600

Choosing Sparks saves $119,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $239,200.

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

Sparks

Coral Academy of Science (Sparks)

Independent · K–12 · $7,400-$9,200/yr

St. Albert School (Sparks)

Catholic · K–8 · $8,200-$10,200/yr

Full Irvine breakdown → Full Sparks breakdown →

California private school costs Nevada 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.