Is private school cheaper in Austin or Thornton?

Thornton has lower average private school tuition at $13,100/year vs $15,500/year in Austin. That's $2,400/year less, or $31,200 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Thornton is $2,400/year less than Austin. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $31,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,400/year in Austin, $8,500/year in Thornton.

How do Austin and Thornton 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). Thornton averages $13,100/year ($750 above average).

Private School Cost: Austin vs Thornton

Thornton averages $2,400/year less for private school (18% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $31,200 per child.

Bottom Line

Thornton is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,100/year vs $15,500/year in Austin. Religious schools run $8,500/year on the low end.

Austin

$15,500

avg tuition/year

$3,150 above national avg

Thornton

$13,100

avg tuition/year

$750 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Austin	Thornton	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$15,500/yr	$13,100/yr	+$2,400
Religious Schools	$9,400/yr	$8,500/yr	+$900
Independent/Prep	$28,200/yr	$25,700/yr	+$2,500
Elementary (K-5)	$12,800/yr	$11,100/yr	+$1,700
Middle School (6-8)	$15,500/yr	$13,100/yr	+$2,400
High School (9-12)	$19,200/yr	$15,700/yr	+$3,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Austin

$201,500

Thornton

$170,300

Choosing Thornton saves $31,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $62,400.

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

Thornton

Thornton Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

St. Pius X Catholic School (Thornton)

Catholic · K–8 · $8,400-$10,200/yr

Full Austin breakdown → Full Thornton breakdown →

Texas private school costs Colorado 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.