Is private school cheaper in Lakewood or Orange County?

Lakewood has lower average private school tuition at $13,400/year vs $20,800/year in Orange County. That's $7,400/year less, or $96,200 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Lakewood over Orange County?

Average tuition in Lakewood is $7,400/year less than Orange County. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $96,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,700/year in Lakewood, $11,200/year in Orange County.

How do Lakewood and Orange County private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Lakewood averages $13,400/year ($1,050 above average). Orange County averages $20,800/year ($8,450 above average).

Private School Cost: Lakewood vs Orange County

Lakewood averages $7,400/year less for private school (55% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $96,200 per child.

Bottom Line

Lakewood is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,400/year vs $20,800/year in Orange County. Religious schools run $8,700/year on the low end.

Lakewood

$13,400

avg tuition/year

$1,050 above national avg

Lower cost

Orange County

$20,800

avg tuition/year

$8,450 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Lakewood	Orange County	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$13,400/yr	$20,800/yr	-$7,400
Religious Schools	$8,700/yr	$11,200/yr	-$2,500
Independent/Prep	$26,500/yr	$34,800/yr	-$8,300
Elementary (K-5)	$11,400/yr	$17,000/yr	-$5,600
Middle School (6-8)	$13,400/yr	$20,800/yr	-$7,400
High School (9-12)	$16,100/yr	$25,500/yr	-$9,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Lakewood

$174,200

Orange County

$270,400

Choosing Lakewood saves $96,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $192,400.

Sample Schools

Lakewood

Colorado Academy (Lakewood area)

Independent · PK–12 · $22,400/yr

Chatfield Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,800-$12,200/yr

Orange County

Sage Hill School

Independent · 9–12 · $41,800/yr

Fairmont Preparatory Academy

Independent · 9–12 · $34,600-$37,200/yr

Calvary Chapel Academy

Christian · K–12 · $10,400-$12,800/yr

JSerra Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $22,400/yr

Full Lakewood breakdown → Full Orange County breakdown →

Colorado private school costs California private school costs

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.