Is private school cheaper in Lowell or Orange County?

Orange County has lower average private school tuition at $20,800/year vs $23,600/year in Lowell. That's $2,800/year less, or $36,400 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Orange County is $2,800/year less than Lowell. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $36,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $12,800/year in Lowell, $11,200/year in Orange County.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Lowell averages $23,600/year ($11,250 above average). Orange County averages $20,800/year ($8,450 above average).

Private School Cost: Lowell vs Orange County

Orange County averages $2,800/year less for private school (13% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $36,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Orange County is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $20,800/year vs $23,600/year in Lowell. Religious schools run $11,200/year on the low end.

Lowell

$23,600

avg tuition/year

$11,250 above national avg

Orange County

$20,800

avg tuition/year

$8,450 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Lowell	Orange County	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$23,600/yr	$20,800/yr	+$2,800
Religious Schools	$12,800/yr	$11,200/yr	+$1,600
Independent/Prep	$48,100/yr	$34,800/yr	+$13,300
Elementary (K-5)	$20,100/yr	$17,000/yr	+$3,100
Middle School (6-8)	$23,600/yr	$20,800/yr	+$2,800
High School (9-12)	$28,300/yr	$25,500/yr	+$2,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Lowell

$306,800

Orange County

$270,400

Choosing Orange County saves $36,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $72,800.

Sample Schools

Lowell

Lowell Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

St. Michael Academy (Lowell)

Catholic · K–8 · $10,800-$12,800/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 Lowell breakdown → Full Orange County breakdown →

Massachusetts 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.