Is private school cheaper in Portland or Rio Rancho?

Rio Rancho has lower average private school tuition at $8,100/year vs $18,200/year in Portland. That's $10,100/year less, or $131,300 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Rio Rancho over Portland?

Average tuition in Rio Rancho is $10,100/year less than Portland. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $131,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $10,400/year in Portland, $5,700/year in Rio Rancho.

How do Portland and Rio Rancho private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Portland averages $18,200/year ($5,850 above average). Rio Rancho averages $8,100/year ($4,250 below average).

Private School Cost: Portland vs Rio Rancho

Rio Rancho averages $10,100/year less for private school (125% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $131,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Rio Rancho is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,100/year vs $18,200/year in Portland. Religious schools run $5,700/year on the low end.

Portland

$18,200

avg tuition/year

$5,850 above national avg

Rio Rancho

$8,100

avg tuition/year

$4,250 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Portland	Rio Rancho	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,200/yr	$8,100/yr	+$10,100
Religious Schools	$10,400/yr	$5,700/yr	+$4,700
Independent/Prep	$31,500/yr	$16,300/yr	+$15,200
Elementary (K-5)	$14,800/yr	$6,900/yr	+$7,900
Middle School (6-8)	$18,200/yr	$8,100/yr	+$10,100
High School (9-12)	$22,500/yr	$9,700/yr	+$12,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Portland

$236,600

Rio Rancho

$105,300

Choosing Rio Rancho saves $131,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $262,600.

Sample Schools

Portland

Catlin Gabel School

Independent · PK–12 · $38,400-$41,200/yr

Oregon Episcopal School

Independent · PK–12 · $34,800/yr

Jesuit High School (Portland)

Catholic · 9–12 · $19,200/yr

Central Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Rio Rancho

Corrales International School

International/Independent · K–8 · $8,800-$11,200/yr

Bosque School (Albuquerque area)

Independent · 6–12 · $19,400/yr

Full Portland breakdown → Full Rio Rancho breakdown →

Oregon private school costs New Mexico private school costs

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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.