Is private school cheaper in Portland or Riverside?

Riverside has lower average private school tuition at $14,900/year vs $18,200/year in Portland. That's $3,300/year less, or $42,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Riverside is $3,300/year less than Portland. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $42,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $10,400/year in Portland, $9,700/year in Riverside.

How do Portland and Riverside 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). Riverside averages $14,900/year ($2,550 above average).

Private School Cost: Portland vs Riverside

Riverside averages $3,300/year less for private school (22% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $42,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Riverside is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $14,900/year vs $18,200/year in Portland. Religious schools run $9,700/year on the low end.

Portland

$18,200

avg tuition/year

$5,850 above national avg

Riverside

$14,900

avg tuition/year

$2,550 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Portland	Riverside	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,200/yr	$14,900/yr	+$3,300
Religious Schools	$10,400/yr	$9,700/yr	+$700
Independent/Prep	$31,500/yr	$29,000/yr	+$2,500
Elementary (K-5)	$14,800/yr	$12,700/yr	+$2,100
Middle School (6-8)	$18,200/yr	$14,900/yr	+$3,300
High School (9-12)	$22,500/yr	$17,900/yr	+$4,600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Portland

$236,600

Riverside

$193,700

Choosing Riverside saves $42,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $85,800.

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

Riverside

Notre Dame High School (Riverside)

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,800/yr

Riverside Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

Full Portland breakdown → Full Riverside breakdown →

Oregon private school costs California 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.