Is private school cheaper in Cedar Rapids or Plano?

Cedar Rapids has lower average private school tuition at $6,800/year vs $12,800/year in Plano. That's $6,000/year less, or $78,000 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Cedar Rapids over Plano?

Average tuition in Cedar Rapids is $6,000/year less than Plano. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $78,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $4,800/year in Cedar Rapids, $8,700/year in Plano.

How do Cedar Rapids and Plano private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Cedar Rapids averages $6,800/year ($5,550 below average). Plano averages $12,800/year ($450 above average).

Private School Cost: Cedar Rapids vs Plano

Cedar Rapids averages $6,000/year less for private school (88% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $78,000 per child.

Bottom Line

Cedar Rapids is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,800/year vs $12,800/year in Plano. Religious schools run $4,800/year on the low end.

Cedar Rapids

$6,800

avg tuition/year

$5,550 below national avg

Lower cost

Plano

$12,800

avg tuition/year

$450 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Cedar Rapids	Plano	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$6,800/yr	$12,800/yr	-$6,000
Religious Schools	$4,800/yr	$8,700/yr	-$3,900
Independent/Prep	$14,300/yr	$27,100/yr	-$12,800
Elementary (K-5)	$5,800/yr	$10,900/yr	-$5,100
Middle School (6-8)	$6,800/yr	$12,800/yr	-$6,000
High School (9-12)	$8,200/yr	$15,400/yr	-$7,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Cedar Rapids

$88,400

Plano

$166,400

Choosing Cedar Rapids saves $78,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $156,000.

Sample Schools

Cedar Rapids

Xavier High School (Cedar Rapids)

Catholic · 9–12 · $9,400/yr

Cedar Rapids Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $8,400-$10,400/yr

Plano

Prestonwood Christian Academy

Christian · PK–12 · $18,200/yr

Parish Episcopal School (Plano)

Independent · PK–12 · $24,800/yr

St. Mark the Evangelist School

Catholic · K–8 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

Full Cedar Rapids breakdown → Full Plano breakdown →

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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.