Is private school cheaper in Orange County or Springfield?

Springfield has lower average private school tuition at $7,700/year vs $20,800/year in Orange County. That's $13,100/year less, or $170,300 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Springfield is $13,100/year less than Orange County. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $170,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $11,200/year in Orange County, $5,500/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 $7,700/year ($4,650 below average).

Private School Cost: Orange County vs Springfield

Springfield averages $13,100/year less for private school (170% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $170,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Springfield is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,700/year vs $20,800/year in Orange County. Religious schools run $5,500/year on the low end.

Orange County

$20,800

avg tuition/year

$8,450 above national avg

Springfield

$7,700

avg tuition/year

$4,650 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Orange County	Springfield	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$20,800/yr	$7,700/yr	+$13,100
Religious Schools	$11,200/yr	$5,500/yr	+$5,700
Independent/Prep	$34,800/yr	$18,000/yr	+$16,800
Elementary (K-5)	$17,000/yr	$6,500/yr	+$10,500
Middle School (6-8)	$20,800/yr	$7,700/yr	+$13,100
High School (9-12)	$25,500/yr	$9,200/yr	+$16,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Orange County

$270,400

Springfield

$100,100

Choosing Springfield saves $170,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $340,600.

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

Springfield

Greenwood Laboratory School (Springfield MO)

Independent · PK–12 · $8,800-$11,200/yr

St. Agnes Cathedral School

Catholic · K–8 · $7,800-$9,600/yr

Full Orange County breakdown → Full Springfield breakdown →

California private school costs Missouri 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.