Is private school cheaper in Irvine or Tampa?

Tampa has lower average private school tuition at $12,500/year vs $20,400/year in Irvine. That's $7,900/year less, or $102,700 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Tampa is $7,900/year less than Irvine. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $102,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $13,300/year in Irvine, $8,200/year in Tampa.

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

Private School Cost: Irvine vs Tampa

Tampa averages $7,900/year less for private school (63% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $102,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Tampa is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $12,500/year vs $20,400/year in Irvine. Religious schools run $8,200/year on the low end.

Irvine

$20,400

avg tuition/year

$8,050 above national avg

Tampa

$12,500

avg tuition/year

$150 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Irvine	Tampa	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$20,400/yr	$12,500/yr	+$7,900
Religious Schools	$13,300/yr	$8,200/yr	+$5,100
Independent/Prep	$39,700/yr	$23,500/yr	+$16,200
Elementary (K-5)	$17,300/yr	$10,200/yr	+$7,100
Middle School (6-8)	$20,400/yr	$12,500/yr	+$7,900
High School (9-12)	$24,500/yr	$15,500/yr	+$9,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Irvine

$265,200

Tampa

$162,500

Choosing Tampa saves $102,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $205,400.

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

Tampa

Academy at the Lakes

Independent · PK–12 · $23,800-$26,200/yr

Jesuit High School (Tampa)

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,800/yr

Berkeley Preparatory School

Independent · PK–12 · $27,200-$29,800/yr

Tampa Prep

Independent · 6–12 · $22,400-$24,200/yr

Full Irvine breakdown → Full Tampa breakdown →

California private school costs Florida private school costs

Related Comparisons

Irvine vs Los Angeles → Miami vs Tampa → Tampa vs Orlando →

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.