Is private school cheaper in Seattle or Springfield?

Springfield has lower average private school tuition at $11,100/year vs $24,500/year in Seattle. That's $13,400/year less, or $174,200 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Springfield is $13,400/year less than Seattle. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $174,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $13,200/year in Seattle, $7,000/year in Springfield.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Seattle averages $24,500/year ($12,150 above average). Springfield averages $11,100/year ($1,250 below average).

Private School Cost: Seattle vs Springfield

Springfield averages $13,400/year less for private school (121% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $174,200 per child.

Bottom Line

Springfield is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,100/year vs $24,500/year in Seattle. Religious schools run $7,000/year on the low end.

Seattle

$24,500

avg tuition/year

$12,150 above national avg

Springfield

$11,100

avg tuition/year

$1,250 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Seattle	Springfield	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$24,500/yr	$11,100/yr	+$13,400
Religious Schools	$13,200/yr	$7,000/yr	+$6,200
Independent/Prep	$38,000/yr	$25,700/yr	+$12,300
Elementary (K-5)	$20,000/yr	$9,400/yr	+$10,600
Middle School (6-8)	$24,500/yr	$11,100/yr	+$13,400
High School (9-12)	$30,500/yr	$13,300/yr	+$17,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Seattle

$318,500

Springfield

$144,300

Choosing Springfield saves $174,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $348,400.

Sample Schools

Seattle

University Prep

Independent · 6–12 · $42,800/yr

Northwest School

Independent · 6–12 · $39,400/yr

Seattle Prep

Catholic · 9–12 · $21,200/yr

O'Dea High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,800/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 Seattle breakdown → Full Springfield breakdown →

Washington private school costs Illinois private school costs

Related Comparisons

Seattle vs Portland → Seattle vs Denver →

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.