Is private school cheaper in Alexandria or Plano?

Plano has lower average private school tuition at $12,800/year vs $18,800/year in Alexandria. That's $6,000/year less, or $78,000 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Plano over Alexandria?

Average tuition in Plano is $6,000/year less than Alexandria. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $78,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $12,900/year in Alexandria, $8,700/year in Plano.

How do Alexandria and Plano private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Alexandria averages $18,800/year ($6,450 above average). Plano averages $12,800/year ($450 above average).

Private School Cost: Alexandria vs Plano

Plano averages $6,000/year less for private school (47% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $78,000 per child.

Bottom Line

Plano is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $12,800/year vs $18,800/year in Alexandria. Religious schools run $8,700/year on the low end.

Alexandria

$18,800

avg tuition/year

$6,450 above national avg

Plano

$12,800

avg tuition/year

$450 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Alexandria	Plano	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,800/yr	$12,800/yr	+$6,000
Religious Schools	$12,900/yr	$8,700/yr	+$4,200
Independent/Prep	$37,600/yr	$27,100/yr	+$10,500
Elementary (K-5)	$16,000/yr	$10,900/yr	+$5,100
Middle School (6-8)	$18,800/yr	$12,800/yr	+$6,000
High School (9-12)	$22,600/yr	$15,400/yr	+$7,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Alexandria

$244,400

Plano

$166,400

Choosing Plano saves $78,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $156,000.

Sample Schools

Alexandria

Episcopal High School (Alexandria VA)

Independent (Episcopal) · 9–12 · $65,800/yr

Bishop Ireton High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,400/yr

Plano

Prestonwood Christian Academy

Christian · PK–12 · $18,200/yr

Parish Episcopal School (Plano)

Independent · PK–12 · $24,800/yr

St. Mark the Evangelist School

Catholic · K–8 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

Full Alexandria breakdown → Full Plano 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.