Is private school cheaper in Abilene or Tulsa?

Tulsa has lower average private school tuition at $7,000/year vs $9,700/year in Abilene. That's $2,700/year less, or $35,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Tulsa is $2,700/year less than Abilene. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $35,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,600/year in Abilene, $5,100/year in Tulsa.

How do Abilene and Tulsa 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). Tulsa averages $7,000/year ($5,350 below average).

Private School Cost: Abilene vs Tulsa

Tulsa averages $2,700/year less for private school (39% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $35,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Tulsa is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,000/year vs $9,700/year in Abilene. Religious schools run $5,100/year on the low end.

Abilene

$9,700

avg tuition/year

$2,650 below national avg

Tulsa

$7,000

avg tuition/year

$5,350 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Abilene	Tulsa	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$9,700/yr	$7,000/yr	+$2,700
Religious Schools	$6,600/yr	$5,100/yr	+$1,500
Independent/Prep	$20,600/yr	$14,500/yr	+$6,100
Elementary (K-5)	$8,200/yr	$6,000/yr	+$2,200
Middle School (6-8)	$9,700/yr	$7,000/yr	+$2,700
High School (9-12)	$11,600/yr	$8,400/yr	+$3,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Abilene

$126,100

Tulsa

$91,000

Choosing Tulsa saves $35,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $70,200.

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

Tulsa

Holland Hall (Tulsa)

Independent (Episcopal) · PK–12 · $21,400/yr

Bishop Kelley High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $10,800/yr

Full Abilene breakdown → Full Tulsa breakdown →

Texas private school costs Oklahoma 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.