Is private school cheaper in Los Angeles or Minneapolis?

Minneapolis has lower average private school tuition at $15,000/year vs $26,800/year in Los Angeles. That's $11,800/year less, or $153,400 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Minneapolis over Los Angeles?

Average tuition in Minneapolis is $11,800/year less than Los Angeles. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $153,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $13,500/year in Los Angeles, $9,200/year in Minneapolis.

How do Los Angeles and Minneapolis private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Los Angeles averages $26,800/year ($14,450 above average). Minneapolis averages $15,000/year ($2,650 above average).

Private School Cost: Los Angeles vs Minneapolis

Minneapolis averages $11,800/year less for private school (79% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $153,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Minneapolis is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $15,000/year vs $26,800/year in Los Angeles. Religious schools run $9,200/year on the low end.

Los Angeles

$26,800

avg tuition/year

$14,450 above national avg

Minneapolis

$15,000

avg tuition/year

$2,650 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Los Angeles	Minneapolis	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$26,800/yr	$15,000/yr	+$11,800
Religious Schools	$13,500/yr	$9,200/yr	+$4,300
Independent/Prep	$42,000/yr	$27,500/yr	+$14,500
Elementary (K-5)	$22,000/yr	$12,200/yr	+$9,800
Middle School (6-8)	$26,800/yr	$15,000/yr	+$11,800
High School (9-12)	$32,000/yr	$18,500/yr	+$13,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Los Angeles

$348,400

Minneapolis

$195,000

Choosing Minneapolis saves $153,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $306,800.

Sample Schools

Los Angeles

Harvard-Westlake School

Independent · 7–12 · $47,890/yr

Crossroads School for Arts & Sciences

Independent · K–12 · $44,370/yr

Marlborough School

Independent · 7–12 · $44,800/yr

St. Monica Catholic School

Catholic · K–8 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

Minneapolis

Blake School

Independent · PK–12 · $34,800-$37,200/yr

Breck School

Independent · PK–12 · $28,400/yr

Minnehaha Academy

Christian · PK–12 · $16,200-$17,800/yr

De La Salle High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $15,800/yr

Full Los Angeles breakdown → Full Minneapolis breakdown →

California private school costs Minnesota private school costs

Related Comparisons

Los Angeles vs San Francisco → Los Angeles vs San Diego → Los Angeles vs San Jose → Irvine vs Los Angeles →

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.