Is private school cheaper in Orange County or Providence?

Orange County has lower average private school tuition at $20,800/year vs $22,000/year in Providence. That's $1,200/year less, or $15,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Orange County is $1,200/year less than Providence. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $15,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $11,200/year in Orange County, $12,400/year in Providence.

How do Orange County and Providence 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). Providence averages $22,000/year ($9,650 above average).

Private School Cost: Orange County vs Providence

Orange County averages $1,200/year less for private school (6% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $15,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Orange County is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $20,800/year vs $22,000/year in Providence. Religious schools run $11,200/year on the low end.

Orange County

$20,800

avg tuition/year

$8,450 above national avg

Lower cost

Providence

$22,000

avg tuition/year

$9,650 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Orange County	Providence	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$20,800/yr	$22,000/yr	-$1,200
Religious Schools	$11,200/yr	$12,400/yr	-$1,200
Independent/Prep	$34,800/yr	$36,000/yr	-$1,200
Elementary (K-5)	$17,000/yr	$18,000/yr	-$1,000
Middle School (6-8)	$20,800/yr	$22,000/yr	-$1,200
High School (9-12)	$25,500/yr	$27,500/yr	-$2,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Orange County

$270,400

Providence

$286,000

Choosing Orange County saves $15,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $31,200.

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

Providence

Moses Brown School

Independent (Quaker) · PK–12 · $40,800-$43,200/yr

Wheeler School

Independent · PK–12 · $38,200-$40,800/yr

Providence Country Day School

Independent · 6–12 · $34,800/yr

La Salle Academy (Providence)

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,200/yr

Full Orange County breakdown → Full Providence breakdown →

California private school costs Rhode Island 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.