Is private school cheaper in Abilene or Fort Lauderdale?

Abilene has lower average private school tuition at $9,700/year vs $11,700/year in Fort Lauderdale. That's $2,000/year less, or $26,000 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Abilene is $2,000/year less than Fort Lauderdale. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $26,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,600/year in Abilene, $8,100/year in Fort Lauderdale.

How do Abilene and Fort Lauderdale 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). Fort Lauderdale averages $11,700/year ($650 below average).

Private School Cost: Abilene vs Fort Lauderdale

Abilene averages $2,000/year less for private school (21% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $26,000 per child.

Bottom Line

Abilene is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,700/year vs $11,700/year in Fort Lauderdale. Religious schools run $6,600/year on the low end.

Abilene

$9,700

avg tuition/year

$2,650 below national avg

Lower cost

Fort Lauderdale

$11,700

avg tuition/year

$650 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Abilene	Fort Lauderdale	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$9,700/yr	$11,700/yr	-$2,000
Religious Schools	$6,600/yr	$8,100/yr	-$1,500
Independent/Prep	$20,600/yr	$24,100/yr	-$3,500
Elementary (K-5)	$8,200/yr	$9,900/yr	-$1,700
Middle School (6-8)	$9,700/yr	$11,700/yr	-$2,000
High School (9-12)	$11,600/yr	$14,000/yr	-$2,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Abilene

$126,100

Fort Lauderdale

$152,100

Choosing Abilene saves $26,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $52,000.

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

Fort Lauderdale

Pine Crest School

Independent · PK–12 · $34,800/yr

Cardinal Gibbons High School (Ft. Laud.)

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Westminster Academy

Christian · PK–12 · $18,400/yr

Full Abilene breakdown → Full Fort Lauderdale breakdown →

Texas private school costs Florida 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.