Private Schools Cost in Portland (2026)
Quick Answer
Estimated rangePrivate school fees in Portland vary widely by age and school type. Verified tuition published by Portland-area schools shows day-school costs from about USD 15,000 per year at some Catholic schools to about USD 43,000 per year at an elite independent school, with many mainstream private K–12 options clustering around roughly USD 20,000–30,000 annually. International-student pricing is often not separately listed for day schools, so where no official split is published, costs should be treated as the same advertised tuition unless additional programme or boarding fees apply.
Overview
In Portland, private school costs are usually charged per academic year rather than per term, and the biggest price drivers are the pupil’s grade level, whether the school is religious or independent, and whether extra fees are bundled into tuition. Verified published tuition from local schools shows a broad spread: Catholic schools can be materially cheaper than non-sectarian independents, while highly selective college-preparatory schools sit at the top end of the market. For example, some Portland Catholic schools publish annual tuition in the mid-teens of thousands of dollars, whereas leading independent schools publish fees above USD 40,000 per year. Families should budget beyond headline tuition. Many schools also charge application fees, enrolment or new-student deposits, technology charges, lunch, books, uniforms, transport, athletics, and optional trips. Financial aid and need-based assistance are common, especially at larger independent schools, so published tuition is not always what every family actually pays. For international families, Portland day schools often do not publish a separate international tuition rate; however, students may face extra costs for English-language support, homestay arrangements, visa administration, health insurance, or third-party placement services. Because schools typically revise fees annually, the most reliable comparison is each school’s current tuition page for the relevant academic year.
What It Costs
| Item | Cost | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Catlin Gabel School annual tuition(per academic year) Published tuition for the school year on the official tuition and affordability page. | ~$43,050 – $43,050 | Estimated range |
| Oregon Episcopal School annual day tuition(per academic year) Official page publishes day tuition by division/grade, with lower and upper annual amounts shown here as the published range. | ~$31,350 – $40,450 | Estimated range |
| Jesuit High School Portland tuition(per academic year) Official tuition and affordability page publishes annual tuition. | ~$19,600 – $19,600 | Estimated range |
| Central Catholic High School tuition(per academic year) Official admissions/tuition page publishes annual tuition. | ~$15,430 – $15,430 | Estimated range |
| Typical Portland private school tuition(per academic year) Estimated range based on verified published tuition from named Portland-area schools on this page; many Catholic schools sit near the lower end and selective independent schools near the upper end. | ~$15,000 – $43,000 | Estimated range |
What’s Typically Included
- Academic instruction during the school year
- Access to standard school facilities
- Some schools include certain books, technology or meals, but this varies
Regulator / licensing: Oregon Department of Education
Variants & Configurations
Duration
Usually priced per academic year, typically covering one school year from late summer or autumn to late spring.
How Fees Work
Most schools charge annual tuition, often payable in one payment or by instalment plans. Extra charges may include application fees, deposits, uniforms, transport, meals, books, technology and activities.
Factors Affecting Price
- School type: Catholic and other faith-based schools are often cheaper than non-sectarian independent schools
- Age and grade level: tuition commonly rises for middle school and upper school years
- What tuition includes: some schools bundle meals, books or technology, while others charge them separately
- Financial aid availability: need-based aid can materially reduce net family cost
- International support needs: visa-related administration, homestay and English-language support can add to the advertised fee
Local Context
Portland private schools generally quote fees in US dollars per academic year, and there is no tipping element. Costs can differ sharply between religious schools and selective independent schools, and families living outside central Portland should also consider commuting and school transport costs across the metro area.
These are data-informed estimate ranges, not confirmed prices.
Costs like this vary widely by job, location, timing and provider, so there is no single fixed price. The ranges here are based on typical market rates to give you a realistic ballpark. For an exact figure for your situation, get a quote or check the official source below.
All figures are in USD and usually quoted as annual tuition for one academic year.
Sources & References
Every price on this page is traced to a documented source. Last checked 24 September 2026.
- Oregon Department of Education · government
State education authority relevant to Oregon schooling context.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do private schools cost in Portland on average?+
A realistic working budget is roughly USD 15,000 to USD 43,000 per academic year, based on verified tuition published by Portland-area schools. Many mainstream options fall around the low-to-mid USD 20,000s, but elite independents can exceed USD 40,000.
Are Catholic private schools in Portland cheaper than independent schools?+
Often, yes. Verified examples on this page show Catholic high schools in Portland publishing annual tuition around the mid-teens to high-teens of thousands, while selective independent schools publish fees from the low USD 30,000s to above USD 40,000.
Do Portland private schools charge different fees for international students?+
Many day schools do not publicly publish a separate international tuition figure. If no separate rate is listed, the official tuition page usually shows the standard day-student fee, but international families should ask about extra charges such as homestay, health insurance, English-language support and visa administration.
What extra costs should families expect beyond tuition?+
Common extras include application fees, enrolment deposits, uniforms, laptops or technology fees, books, lunch, transport, sports, arts and school trips. These can add materially to the headline tuition.
Is financial aid common at Portland private schools?+
Yes. Larger independent schools and many Catholic schools advertise tuition assistance or need-based aid. Families should compare both the published tuition and each school’s aid policies before assuming the full sticker price will apply.
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Check current prices at the official source
Oregon Department of Education
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