Is private school cheaper in Allen or Tacoma?

Allen has lower average private school tuition at $12,600/year vs $13,700/year in Tacoma. That's $1,100/year less, or $14,300 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Allen over Tacoma?

Average tuition in Allen is $1,100/year less than Tacoma. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $14,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,600/year in Allen, $9,400/year in Tacoma.

How do Allen and Tacoma private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Allen averages $12,600/year ($250 above average). Tacoma averages $13,700/year ($1,350 above average).

Private School Cost: Allen vs Tacoma

Allen averages $1,100/year less for private school (9% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $14,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Allen is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $12,600/year vs $13,700/year in Tacoma. Religious schools run $8,600/year on the low end.

Allen

$12,600

avg tuition/year

$250 above national avg

Lower cost

Tacoma

$13,700

avg tuition/year

$1,350 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Allen	Tacoma	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$12,600/yr	$13,700/yr	-$1,100
Religious Schools	$8,600/yr	$9,400/yr	-$800
Independent/Prep	$26,600/yr	$29,400/yr	-$2,800
Elementary (K-5)	$10,700/yr	$11,600/yr	-$900
Middle School (6-8)	$12,600/yr	$13,700/yr	-$1,100
High School (9-12)	$15,100/yr	$16,400/yr	-$1,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Allen

$163,800

Tacoma

$178,100

Choosing Allen saves $14,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $28,600.

Sample Schools

Allen

Allen Christian Academy

Christian · PK–12 · $10,200-$12,800/yr

Our Lady of Angels School (Allen)

Catholic · K–8 · $8,800-$10,600/yr

Tacoma

Charles Wright Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $28,400/yr

Bellarmine Preparatory School

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,400/yr

Full Allen breakdown → Full Tacoma breakdown →

Texas private school costs Washington 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.