Is private school cheaper in Dallas or Little Rock?

Little Rock has lower average private school tuition at $6,600/year vs $17,200/year in Dallas. That's $10,600/year less, or $137,800 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Little Rock over Dallas?

Average tuition in Little Rock is $10,600/year less than Dallas. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $137,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,500/year in Dallas, $5,000/year in Little Rock.

How do Dallas and Little Rock private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Dallas averages $17,200/year ($4,850 above average). Little Rock averages $6,600/year ($5,750 below average).

Private School Cost: Dallas vs Little Rock

Little Rock averages $10,600/year less for private school (161% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $137,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Little Rock is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,600/year vs $17,200/year in Dallas. Religious schools run $5,000/year on the low end.

Dallas

$17,200

avg tuition/year

$4,850 above national avg

Little Rock

$6,600

avg tuition/year

$5,750 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Dallas	Little Rock	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$17,200/yr	$6,600/yr	+$10,600
Religious Schools	$9,500/yr	$5,000/yr	+$4,500
Independent/Prep	$30,000/yr	$13,100/yr	+$16,900
Elementary (K-5)	$14,000/yr	$5,600/yr	+$8,400
Middle School (6-8)	$17,200/yr	$6,600/yr	+$10,600
High School (9-12)	$21,000/yr	$7,900/yr	+$13,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Dallas

$223,600

Little Rock

$85,800

Choosing Little Rock saves $137,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $275,600.

Sample Schools

Dallas

Greenhill School

Independent · PK–12 · $38,400-$41,200/yr

St. Mark's School of Texas

Independent · 1–12 · $38,200/yr

Hockaday School

Independent · PK–12 · $39,800/yr

Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas

Catholic · 9–12 · $21,800/yr

Little Rock

Pulaski Academy (Little Rock)

Independent · PK–12 · $11,800/yr

Mount St. Mary Academy

Catholic · 9–12 · $11,200/yr

Full Dallas breakdown → Full Little Rock breakdown →

Texas private school costs Arkansas private school costs

Related Comparisons

Houston vs Dallas → Dallas vs Austin → Dallas vs San Antonio → Fort Worth vs Dallas →

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.