Is private school cheaper in Dallas or Orange County?

Dallas has lower average private school tuition at $17,200/year vs $20,800/year in Orange County. That's $3,600/year less, or $46,800 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Dallas over Orange County?

Average tuition in Dallas is $3,600/year less than Orange County. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $46,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,500/year in Dallas, $11,200/year in Orange County.

How do Dallas and Orange County 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). Orange County averages $20,800/year ($8,450 above average).

Private School Cost: Dallas vs Orange County

Dallas averages $3,600/year less for private school (21% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $46,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Dallas is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $17,200/year vs $20,800/year in Orange County. Religious schools run $9,500/year on the low end.

Dallas

$17,200

avg tuition/year

$4,850 above national avg

Lower cost

Orange County

$20,800

avg tuition/year

$8,450 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Dallas	Orange County	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$17,200/yr	$20,800/yr	-$3,600
Religious Schools	$9,500/yr	$11,200/yr	-$1,700
Independent/Prep	$30,000/yr	$34,800/yr	-$4,800
Elementary (K-5)	$14,000/yr	$17,000/yr	-$3,000
Middle School (6-8)	$17,200/yr	$20,800/yr	-$3,600
High School (9-12)	$21,000/yr	$25,500/yr	-$4,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Dallas

$223,600

Orange County

$270,400

Choosing Dallas saves $46,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $93,600.

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

Orange County

Sage Hill School

Independent · 9–12 · $41,800/yr

Fairmont Preparatory Academy

Independent · 9–12 · $34,600-$37,200/yr

Calvary Chapel Academy

Christian · K–12 · $10,400-$12,800/yr

JSerra Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $22,400/yr

Full Dallas breakdown → Full Orange County breakdown →

Texas private school costs California 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.