Is private school cheaper in Abilene or Des Moines?

Des Moines has lower average private school tuition at $6,900/year vs $9,700/year in Abilene. That's $2,800/year less, or $36,400 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Des Moines is $2,800/year less than Abilene. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $36,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,600/year in Abilene, $4,800/year in Des Moines.

How do Abilene and Des Moines 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). Des Moines averages $6,900/year ($5,450 below average).

Private School Cost: Abilene vs Des Moines

Des Moines averages $2,800/year less for private school (41% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $36,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Des Moines is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,900/year vs $9,700/year in Abilene. Religious schools run $4,800/year on the low end.

Abilene

$9,700

avg tuition/year

$2,650 below national avg

Des Moines

$6,900

avg tuition/year

$5,450 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Abilene	Des Moines	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$9,700/yr	$6,900/yr	+$2,800
Religious Schools	$6,600/yr	$4,800/yr	+$1,800
Independent/Prep	$20,600/yr	$14,400/yr	+$6,200
Elementary (K-5)	$8,200/yr	$5,900/yr	+$2,300
Middle School (6-8)	$9,700/yr	$6,900/yr	+$2,800
High School (9-12)	$11,600/yr	$8,300/yr	+$3,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Abilene

$126,100

Des Moines

$89,700

Choosing Des Moines saves $36,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $72,800.

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

Des Moines

Dowling Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $10,400/yr

Des Moines Christian School

Christian · PK–12 · $9,600-$12,000/yr

Full Abilene breakdown → Full Des Moines breakdown →

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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.