Private School Cost: Austin vs Lincoln
Lincoln averages $8,300/year less for private school (115% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $107,900 per child.
Bottom Line
Lincoln is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,200/year vs $15,500/year in Austin. Religious schools run $5,000/year on the low end.
Austin
TX
$15,500
avg tuition/year
Lincoln
NE
$7,200
avg tuition/year
Tuition by School Type & Grade
| Category | Austin | Lincoln | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Schools (Average) | $15,500/yr | $7,200/yr | +$8,300 |
| Religious Schools | $9,400/yr | $5,000/yr | +$4,400 |
| Independent/Prep | $28,200/yr | $15,600/yr | +$12,600 |
| Elementary (K-5) | $12,800/yr | $6,100/yr | +$6,700 |
| Middle School (6-8) | $15,500/yr | $7,200/yr | +$8,300 |
| High School (9-12) | $19,200/yr | $8,600/yr | +$10,600 |
K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)
Austin
$201,500
Lincoln
$93,600
Choosing Lincoln saves $107,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $215,800.
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
Lincoln
Lincoln Christian High School
Christian · K–12 · $9,600-$11,800/yr
Pius X High School (Lincoln)
Catholic · 9–12 · $8,800/yr
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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.