Is private school cheaper in Abilene or Tampa?

Abilene has lower average private school tuition at $9,700/year vs $12,500/year in Tampa. That's $2,800/year less, or $36,400 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Abilene is $2,800/year less than Tampa. 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, $8,200/year in Tampa.

How do Abilene and Tampa 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). Tampa averages $12,500/year ($150 above average).

Private School Cost: Abilene vs Tampa

Abilene averages $2,800/year less for private school (29% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $36,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Abilene is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,700/year vs $12,500/year in Tampa. Religious schools run $6,600/year on the low end.

Abilene

$9,700

avg tuition/year

$2,650 below national avg

Lower cost

Tampa

$12,500

avg tuition/year

$150 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Abilene	Tampa	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$9,700/yr	$12,500/yr	-$2,800
Religious Schools	$6,600/yr	$8,200/yr	-$1,600
Independent/Prep	$20,600/yr	$23,500/yr	-$2,900
Elementary (K-5)	$8,200/yr	$10,200/yr	-$2,000
Middle School (6-8)	$9,700/yr	$12,500/yr	-$2,800
High School (9-12)	$11,600/yr	$15,500/yr	-$3,900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Abilene

$126,100

Tampa

$162,500

Choosing Abilene 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

Tampa

Academy at the Lakes

Independent · PK–12 · $23,800-$26,200/yr

Jesuit High School (Tampa)

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,800/yr

Berkeley Preparatory School

Independent · PK–12 · $27,200-$29,800/yr

Tampa Prep

Independent · 6–12 · $22,400-$24,200/yr

Full Abilene breakdown → Full Tampa breakdown →

Texas private school costs Florida private school costs

Related Comparisons

Miami vs Tampa → Tampa vs Orlando →

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.