Is private school cheaper in Abilene or Alexandria?

Abilene has lower average private school tuition at $9,700/year vs $18,800/year in Alexandria. That's $9,100/year less, or $118,300 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Abilene over Alexandria?

Average tuition in Abilene is $9,100/year less than Alexandria. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $118,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,600/year in Abilene, $12,900/year in Alexandria.

How do Abilene and Alexandria private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Abilene averages $9,700/year ($2,650 below average). Alexandria averages $18,800/year ($6,450 above average).

Private School Cost: Abilene vs Alexandria

Abilene averages $9,100/year less for private school (94% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $118,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Abilene is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,700/year vs $18,800/year in Alexandria. Religious schools run $6,600/year on the low end.

Abilene

$9,700

avg tuition/year

$2,650 below national avg

Lower cost

Alexandria

$18,800

avg tuition/year

$6,450 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Abilene	Alexandria	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$9,700/yr	$18,800/yr	-$9,100
Religious Schools	$6,600/yr	$12,900/yr	-$6,300
Independent/Prep	$20,600/yr	$37,600/yr	-$17,000
Elementary (K-5)	$8,200/yr	$16,000/yr	-$7,800
Middle School (6-8)	$9,700/yr	$18,800/yr	-$9,100
High School (9-12)	$11,600/yr	$22,600/yr	-$11,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Abilene

$126,100

Alexandria

$244,400

Choosing Abilene saves $118,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $236,600.

Sample Schools

Abilene

Wylie Academy (Abilene)

Christian · K–12 · $8,800-$11,200/yr

St. Joseph School (Abilene)

Catholic · K–8 · $7,400-$9,000/yr

Alexandria

Episcopal High School (Alexandria VA)

Independent (Episcopal) · 9–12 · $65,800/yr

Bishop Ireton High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,400/yr

Full Abilene breakdown → Full Alexandria breakdown →

Texas private school costs Virginia 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.