Is private school cheaper in Abilene or McAllen?

McAllen has lower average private school tuition at $9,400/year vs $9,700/year in Abilene. That's $300/year less, or $3,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in McAllen is $300/year less than Abilene. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $3,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,600/year in Abilene, $6,400/year in McAllen.

How do Abilene and McAllen 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). McAllen averages $9,400/year ($2,950 below average).

Private School Cost: Abilene vs McAllen

McAllen averages $300/year less for private school (3% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $3,900 per child.

Bottom Line

McAllen is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,400/year vs $9,700/year in Abilene. Religious schools run $6,400/year on the low end.

Abilene

$9,700

avg tuition/year

$2,650 below national avg

McAllen

$9,400

avg tuition/year

$2,950 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Abilene	McAllen	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$9,700/yr	$9,400/yr	+$300
Religious Schools	$6,600/yr	$6,400/yr	+$200
Independent/Prep	$20,600/yr	$19,800/yr	+$800
Elementary (K-5)	$8,200/yr	$8,000/yr	+$200
Middle School (6-8)	$9,700/yr	$9,400/yr	+$300
High School (9-12)	$11,600/yr	$11,300/yr	+$300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Abilene

$126,100

McAllen

$122,200

Choosing McAllen saves $3,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $7,800.

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

McAllen

McAllen Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $8,200-$10,200/yr

St. Joseph Academy (McAllen)

Catholic · K–12 · $7,400-$9,200/yr

Full Abilene breakdown → Full McAllen breakdown →

Texas 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.