Is private school cheaper in Orange County or Portland?

Portland has lower average private school tuition at $18,200/year vs $20,800/year in Orange County. That's $2,600/year less, or $33,800 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Portland is $2,600/year less than Orange County. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $33,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $11,200/year in Orange County, $10,400/year in Portland.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Orange County averages $20,800/year ($8,450 above average). Portland averages $18,200/year ($5,850 above average).

Private School Cost: Orange County vs Portland

Portland averages $2,600/year less for private school (14% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $33,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Portland is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $18,200/year vs $20,800/year in Orange County. Religious schools run $10,400/year on the low end.

Orange County

$20,800

avg tuition/year

$8,450 above national avg

Portland

$18,200

avg tuition/year

$5,850 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Orange County	Portland	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$20,800/yr	$18,200/yr	+$2,600
Religious Schools	$11,200/yr	$10,400/yr	+$800
Independent/Prep	$34,800/yr	$31,500/yr	+$3,300
Elementary (K-5)	$17,000/yr	$14,800/yr	+$2,200
Middle School (6-8)	$20,800/yr	$18,200/yr	+$2,600
High School (9-12)	$25,500/yr	$22,500/yr	+$3,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Orange County

$270,400

Portland

$236,600

Choosing Portland saves $33,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $67,600.

Sample Schools

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

Portland

Catlin Gabel School

Independent · PK–12 · $38,400-$41,200/yr

Oregon Episcopal School

Independent · PK–12 · $34,800/yr

Jesuit High School (Portland)

Catholic · 9–12 · $19,200/yr

Central Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Full Orange County breakdown → Full Portland breakdown →

California private school costs Oregon private school costs

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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.