Is private school cheaper in Riverside or Springfield?

Riverside has lower average private school tuition at $14,900/year vs $22,500/year in Springfield. That's $7,600/year less, or $98,800 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Riverside is $7,600/year less than Springfield. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $98,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,700/year in Riverside, $12,200/year in Springfield.

How do Riverside and Springfield private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Riverside averages $14,900/year ($2,550 above average). Springfield averages $22,500/year ($10,150 above average).

Private School Cost: Riverside vs Springfield

Riverside averages $7,600/year less for private school (51% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $98,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Riverside is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $14,900/year vs $22,500/year in Springfield. Religious schools run $9,700/year on the low end.

Riverside

$14,900

avg tuition/year

$2,550 above national avg

Lower cost

Springfield

$22,500

avg tuition/year

$10,150 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Riverside	Springfield	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$14,900/yr	$22,500/yr	-$7,600
Religious Schools	$9,700/yr	$12,200/yr	-$2,500
Independent/Prep	$29,000/yr	$45,800/yr	-$16,800
Elementary (K-5)	$12,700/yr	$19,100/yr	-$6,400
Middle School (6-8)	$14,900/yr	$22,500/yr	-$7,600
High School (9-12)	$17,900/yr	$27,000/yr	-$9,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Riverside

$193,700

Springfield

$292,500

Choosing Riverside saves $98,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $197,600.

Sample Schools

Riverside

Notre Dame High School (Riverside)

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,800/yr

Riverside Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

Springfield

Cathedral High School (Springfield MA)

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,200/yr

The MacDuffie School

Independent · 6–12 · $38,400/yr

Full Riverside breakdown → Full Springfield breakdown →

California private school costs Massachusetts 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.