Is private school cheaper in Springfield or Tacoma?

Springfield has lower average private school tuition at $11,100/year vs $13,700/year in Tacoma. That's $2,600/year less, or $33,800 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Springfield is $2,600/year less than Tacoma. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $33,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,000/year in Springfield, $9,400/year in Tacoma.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Springfield averages $11,100/year ($1,250 below average). Tacoma averages $13,700/year ($1,350 above average).

Private School Cost: Springfield vs Tacoma

Springfield averages $2,600/year less for private school (23% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $33,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Springfield is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,100/year vs $13,700/year in Tacoma. Religious schools run $7,000/year on the low end.

Springfield

$11,100

avg tuition/year

$1,250 below national avg

Lower cost

Tacoma

$13,700

avg tuition/year

$1,350 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Springfield	Tacoma	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,100/yr	$13,700/yr	-$2,600
Religious Schools	$7,000/yr	$9,400/yr	-$2,400
Independent/Prep	$25,700/yr	$29,400/yr	-$3,700
Elementary (K-5)	$9,400/yr	$11,600/yr	-$2,200
Middle School (6-8)	$11,100/yr	$13,700/yr	-$2,600
High School (9-12)	$13,300/yr	$16,400/yr	-$3,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Springfield

$144,300

Tacoma

$178,100

Choosing Springfield saves $33,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $67,600.

Sample Schools

Springfield

Sacred Heart-Griffin High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $9,800/yr

Springfield Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $8,800-$10,600/yr

Tacoma

Charles Wright Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $28,400/yr

Bellarmine Preparatory School

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,400/yr

Full Springfield breakdown → Full Tacoma breakdown →

Illinois private school costs Washington 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.