Is private school cheaper in Irvine or Stockton?

Stockton has lower average private school tuition at $13,800/year vs $20,400/year in Irvine. That's $6,600/year less, or $85,800 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Stockton is $6,600/year less than Irvine. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $85,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $13,300/year in Irvine, $9,000/year in Stockton.

How do Irvine and Stockton 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). Stockton averages $13,800/year ($1,450 above average).

Private School Cost: Irvine vs Stockton

Stockton averages $6,600/year less for private school (48% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $85,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Stockton is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,800/year vs $20,400/year in Irvine. Religious schools run $9,000/year on the low end.

Irvine

$20,400

avg tuition/year

$8,050 above national avg

Stockton

$13,800

avg tuition/year

$1,450 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Irvine	Stockton	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$20,400/yr	$13,800/yr	+$6,600
Religious Schools	$13,300/yr	$9,000/yr	+$4,300
Independent/Prep	$39,700/yr	$26,800/yr	+$12,900
Elementary (K-5)	$17,300/yr	$11,700/yr	+$5,600
Middle School (6-8)	$20,400/yr	$13,800/yr	+$6,600
High School (9-12)	$24,500/yr	$16,600/yr	+$7,900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Irvine

$265,200

Stockton

$179,400

Choosing Stockton saves $85,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $171,600.

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

Stockton

St. Mary's High School (Stockton)

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,200/yr

Stockton Christian School

Christian · PK–12 · $8,600-$10,200/yr

Full Irvine breakdown → Full Stockton breakdown →

California 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.