Is private school cheaper in Allentown or McAllen?

McAllen has lower average private school tuition at $9,400/year vs $13,000/year in Allentown. That's $3,600/year less, or $46,800 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in McAllen is $3,600/year less than Allentown. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $46,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,300/year in Allentown, $6,400/year in McAllen.

How do Allentown and McAllen private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Allentown averages $13,000/year ($650 above average). McAllen averages $9,400/year ($2,950 below average).

Private School Cost: Allentown vs McAllen

McAllen averages $3,600/year less for private school (38% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $46,800 per child.

Bottom Line

McAllen is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,400/year vs $13,000/year in Allentown. Religious schools run $6,400/year on the low end.

Allentown

$13,000

avg tuition/year

$650 above national avg

McAllen

$9,400

avg tuition/year

$2,950 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Allentown	McAllen	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$13,000/yr	$9,400/yr	+$3,600
Religious Schools	$8,300/yr	$6,400/yr	+$1,900
Independent/Prep	$30,200/yr	$19,800/yr	+$10,400
Elementary (K-5)	$11,100/yr	$8,000/yr	+$3,100
Middle School (6-8)	$13,000/yr	$9,400/yr	+$3,600
High School (9-12)	$15,600/yr	$11,300/yr	+$4,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Allentown

$169,000

McAllen

$122,200

Choosing McAllen saves $46,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $93,600.

Sample Schools

Allentown

Lehigh Valley Academy (Allentown)

Independent · K–12 · $10,800-$13,400/yr

Central Catholic High School (Allentown)

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,400/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 Allentown breakdown → Full McAllen breakdown →

Pennsylvania private school costs 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.