Is private school cheaper in Irvine or Westminster?

Westminster has lower average private school tuition at $13,100/year vs $20,400/year in Irvine. That's $7,300/year less, or $94,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Westminster is $7,300/year less than Irvine. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $94,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $13,300/year in Irvine, $8,500/year in Westminster.

How do Irvine and Westminster 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). Westminster averages $13,100/year ($750 above average).

Private School Cost: Irvine vs Westminster

Westminster averages $7,300/year less for private school (56% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $94,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Westminster is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,100/year vs $20,400/year in Irvine. Religious schools run $8,500/year on the low end.

Irvine

$20,400

avg tuition/year

$8,050 above national avg

Westminster

$13,100

avg tuition/year

$750 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Irvine	Westminster	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$20,400/yr	$13,100/yr	+$7,300
Religious Schools	$13,300/yr	$8,500/yr	+$4,800
Independent/Prep	$39,700/yr	$25,700/yr	+$14,000
Elementary (K-5)	$17,300/yr	$11,100/yr	+$6,200
Middle School (6-8)	$20,400/yr	$13,100/yr	+$7,300
High School (9-12)	$24,500/yr	$15,700/yr	+$8,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Irvine

$265,200

Westminster

$170,300

Choosing Westminster saves $94,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $189,800.

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

Westminster

Westminster Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Holy Trinity School (Westminster CO)

Catholic · K–8 · $8,200-$10,200/yr

Full Irvine breakdown → Full Westminster breakdown →

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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.