Is private school cheaper in Portland or Springfield?

Springfield has lower average private school tuition at $11,100/year vs $18,200/year in Portland. That's $7,100/year less, or $92,300 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Springfield is $7,100/year less than Portland. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $92,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $10,400/year in Portland, $7,000/year in Springfield.

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

Private School Cost: Portland vs Springfield

Springfield averages $7,100/year less for private school (64% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $92,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Springfield is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,100/year vs $18,200/year in Portland. Religious schools run $7,000/year on the low end.

Portland

$18,200

avg tuition/year

$5,850 above national avg

Springfield

$11,100

avg tuition/year

$1,250 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Portland	Springfield	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,200/yr	$11,100/yr	+$7,100
Religious Schools	$10,400/yr	$7,000/yr	+$3,400
Independent/Prep	$31,500/yr	$25,700/yr	+$5,800
Elementary (K-5)	$14,800/yr	$9,400/yr	+$5,400
Middle School (6-8)	$18,200/yr	$11,100/yr	+$7,100
High School (9-12)	$22,500/yr	$13,300/yr	+$9,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Portland

$236,600

Springfield

$144,300

Choosing Springfield saves $92,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $184,600.

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

Springfield

Sacred Heart-Griffin High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $9,800/yr

Springfield Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $8,800-$10,600/yr

Full Portland breakdown → Full Springfield breakdown →

Oregon private school costs Illinois 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.