Is private school cheaper in Orange County or Richmond?

Richmond has lower average private school tuition at $14,500/year vs $20,800/year in Orange County. That's $6,300/year less, or $81,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Richmond is $6,300/year less than Orange County. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $81,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $11,200/year in Orange County, $9,200/year in Richmond.

How do Orange County and Richmond 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). Richmond averages $14,500/year ($2,150 above average).

Private School Cost: Orange County vs Richmond

Richmond averages $6,300/year less for private school (43% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $81,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Richmond is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $14,500/year vs $20,800/year in Orange County. Religious schools run $9,200/year on the low end.

Orange County

$20,800

avg tuition/year

$8,450 above national avg

Richmond

$14,500

avg tuition/year

$2,150 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Orange County	Richmond	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$20,800/yr	$14,500/yr	+$6,300
Religious Schools	$11,200/yr	$9,200/yr	+$2,000
Independent/Prep	$34,800/yr	$27,000/yr	+$7,800
Elementary (K-5)	$17,000/yr	$11,800/yr	+$5,200
Middle School (6-8)	$20,800/yr	$14,500/yr	+$6,300
High School (9-12)	$25,500/yr	$18,000/yr	+$7,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Orange County

$270,400

Richmond

$188,500

Choosing Richmond saves $81,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $163,800.

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

Richmond

St. Catherine's School (Richmond)

Independent · PK–12 · $28,800-$31,400/yr

St. Christopher's School

Independent · K–12 · $29,200-$31,800/yr

Collegiate School (Richmond)

Independent · PK–12 · $30,400-$32,800/yr

Benedictine College Preparatory

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,200/yr

Full Orange County breakdown → Full Richmond breakdown →

California private school costs Virginia 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.