Private School Cost: Austin vs Seattle
Austin averages $9,000/year less for private school (58% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $117,000 per child.
Bottom Line
Austin is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $15,500/year vs $24,500/year in Seattle. Religious schools run $9,400/year on the low end.
Austin
TX
$15,500
avg tuition/year
Seattle
WA
$24,500
avg tuition/year
Tuition by School Type & Grade
| Category | Austin | Seattle | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Schools (Average) | $15,500/yr | $24,500/yr | -$9,000 |
| Religious Schools | $9,400/yr | $13,200/yr | -$3,800 |
| Independent/Prep | $28,200/yr | $38,000/yr | -$9,800 |
| Elementary (K-5) | $12,800/yr | $20,000/yr | -$7,200 |
| Middle School (6-8) | $15,500/yr | $24,500/yr | -$9,000 |
| High School (9-12) | $19,200/yr | $30,500/yr | -$11,300 |
K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)
Austin
$201,500
Seattle
$318,500
Choosing Austin saves $117,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $234,000.
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
Seattle
University Prep
Independent · 6–12 · $42,800/yr
Northwest School
Independent · 6–12 · $39,400/yr
Seattle Prep
Catholic · 9–12 · $21,200/yr
O'Dea High School
Catholic · 9–12 · $17,800/yr
Related Comparisons
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.