Is private school cheaper in Irvine or Springfield?

Irvine has lower average private school tuition at $20,400/year vs $22,500/year in Springfield. That's $2,100/year less, or $27,300 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Irvine is $2,100/year less than Springfield. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $27,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $13,300/year in Irvine, $12,200/year in Springfield.

How do Irvine and Springfield 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). Springfield averages $22,500/year ($10,150 above average).

Private School Cost: Irvine vs Springfield

Irvine averages $2,100/year less for private school (10% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $27,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Irvine is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $20,400/year vs $22,500/year in Springfield. Religious schools run $12,200/year on the low end.

Irvine

$20,400

avg tuition/year

$8,050 above national avg

Lower cost

Springfield

$22,500

avg tuition/year

$10,150 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Irvine	Springfield	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$20,400/yr	$22,500/yr	-$2,100
Religious Schools	$13,300/yr	$12,200/yr	+$1,100
Independent/Prep	$39,700/yr	$45,800/yr	-$6,100
Elementary (K-5)	$17,300/yr	$19,100/yr	-$1,800
Middle School (6-8)	$20,400/yr	$22,500/yr	-$2,100
High School (9-12)	$24,500/yr	$27,000/yr	-$2,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Irvine

$265,200

Springfield

$292,500

Choosing Irvine saves $27,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $54,600.

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

Springfield

Cathedral High School (Springfield MA)

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,200/yr

The MacDuffie School

Independent · 6–12 · $38,400/yr

Full Irvine breakdown → Full Springfield breakdown →

California private school costs Massachusetts 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.