Is private school cheaper in Austin or Gainesville?

Gainesville has lower average private school tuition at $9,900/year vs $15,500/year in Austin. That's $5,600/year less, or $72,800 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Gainesville over Austin?

Average tuition in Gainesville is $5,600/year less than Austin. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $72,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,400/year in Austin, $6,800/year in Gainesville.

How do Austin and Gainesville private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Austin averages $15,500/year ($3,150 above average). Gainesville averages $9,900/year ($2,450 below average).

Private School Cost: Austin vs Gainesville

Gainesville averages $5,600/year less for private school (57% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $72,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Gainesville is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,900/year vs $15,500/year in Austin. Religious schools run $6,800/year on the low end.

Austin

$15,500

avg tuition/year

$3,150 above national avg

Gainesville

$9,900

avg tuition/year

$2,450 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Austin	Gainesville	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$15,500/yr	$9,900/yr	+$5,600
Religious Schools	$9,400/yr	$6,800/yr	+$2,600
Independent/Prep	$28,200/yr	$20,400/yr	+$7,800
Elementary (K-5)	$12,800/yr	$8,400/yr	+$4,400
Middle School (6-8)	$15,500/yr	$9,900/yr	+$5,600
High School (9-12)	$19,200/yr	$11,900/yr	+$7,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Austin

$201,500

Gainesville

$128,700

Choosing Gainesville saves $72,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $145,600.

Sample Schools

Austin

St. Andrew's Episcopal School (Austin)

Independent · PK–12 · $32,800-$35,400/yr

Austin Preparatory School

Catholic · 6–12 · $14,200/yr

St. Michael's Catholic Academy

Catholic · 9–12 · $15,800/yr

Hyde Park Baptist School

Christian · PK–12 · $13,400-$15,200/yr

Gainesville

Buchholz High School (Private Prep)

Independent · 9–12 · $12,800/yr

Gainesville Christian Academy

Christian · PK–12 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

Full Austin breakdown → Full Gainesville breakdown →

Texas private school costs Florida private school costs

Related Comparisons

Houston vs Austin → Dallas vs Austin → Austin vs San Antonio → Austin vs Raleigh →

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.