Is private school cheaper in Orange County or Springfield?

Springfield has lower average private school tuition at $11,100/year vs $20,800/year in Orange County. That's $9,700/year less, or $126,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Springfield is $9,700/year less than Orange County. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $126,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $11,200/year in Orange County, $7,000/year in Springfield.

How do Orange County and Springfield 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). Springfield averages $11,100/year ($1,250 below average).

Private School Cost: Orange County vs Springfield

Springfield averages $9,700/year less for private school (87% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $126,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Springfield is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,100/year vs $20,800/year in Orange County. Religious schools run $7,000/year on the low end.

Orange County

$20,800

avg tuition/year

$8,450 above national avg

Springfield

$11,100

avg tuition/year

$1,250 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Orange County	Springfield	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$20,800/yr	$11,100/yr	+$9,700
Religious Schools	$11,200/yr	$7,000/yr	+$4,200
Independent/Prep	$34,800/yr	$25,700/yr	+$9,100
Elementary (K-5)	$17,000/yr	$9,400/yr	+$7,600
Middle School (6-8)	$20,800/yr	$11,100/yr	+$9,700
High School (9-12)	$25,500/yr	$13,300/yr	+$12,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Orange County

$270,400

Springfield

$144,300

Choosing Springfield saves $126,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $252,200.

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

Springfield

Sacred Heart-Griffin High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $9,800/yr

Springfield Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $8,800-$10,600/yr

Full Orange County breakdown → Full Springfield breakdown →

California private school costs Illinois 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.