Is private school cheaper in Orange County or Simi Valley?

Simi Valley has lower average private school tuition at $17,200/year vs $20,800/year in Orange County. That's $3,600/year less, or $46,800 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Simi Valley is $3,600/year less than Orange County. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $46,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $11,200/year in Orange County, $11,200/year in Simi Valley.

How do Orange County and Simi Valley 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). Simi Valley averages $17,200/year ($4,850 above average).

Private School Cost: Orange County vs Simi Valley

Simi Valley averages $3,600/year less for private school (21% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $46,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Simi Valley is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $17,200/year vs $20,800/year in Orange County. Religious schools run $11,200/year on the low end.

Orange County

$20,800

avg tuition/year

$8,450 above national avg

Simi Valley

$17,200

avg tuition/year

$4,850 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Orange County	Simi Valley	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$20,800/yr	$17,200/yr	+$3,600
Religious Schools	$11,200/yr	$11,200/yr	Same
Independent/Prep	$34,800/yr	$33,600/yr	+$1,200
Elementary (K-5)	$17,000/yr	$14,600/yr	+$2,400
Middle School (6-8)	$20,800/yr	$17,200/yr	+$3,600
High School (9-12)	$25,500/yr	$20,600/yr	+$4,900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Orange County

$270,400

Simi Valley

$223,600

Choosing Simi Valley saves $46,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $93,600.

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

Simi Valley

Notre Dame High School (Sherman Oaks)

Catholic · 9–12 · $21,400/yr

Simi Valley Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

Full Orange County breakdown → Full Simi Valley breakdown →

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.