Is private school cheaper in Fort Lauderdale or McAllen?

McAllen has lower average private school tuition at $9,400/year vs $11,700/year in Fort Lauderdale. That's $2,300/year less, or $29,900 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing McAllen over Fort Lauderdale?

Average tuition in McAllen is $2,300/year less than Fort Lauderdale. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $29,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,100/year in Fort Lauderdale, $6,400/year in McAllen.

How do Fort Lauderdale and McAllen private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Fort Lauderdale averages $11,700/year ($650 below average). McAllen averages $9,400/year ($2,950 below average).

Private School Cost: Fort Lauderdale vs McAllen

McAllen averages $2,300/year less for private school (24% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $29,900 per child.

Bottom Line

McAllen is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,400/year vs $11,700/year in Fort Lauderdale. Religious schools run $6,400/year on the low end.

Fort Lauderdale

$11,700

avg tuition/year

$650 below national avg

McAllen

$9,400

avg tuition/year

$2,950 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Fort Lauderdale	McAllen	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,700/yr	$9,400/yr	+$2,300
Religious Schools	$8,100/yr	$6,400/yr	+$1,700
Independent/Prep	$24,100/yr	$19,800/yr	+$4,300
Elementary (K-5)	$9,900/yr	$8,000/yr	+$1,900
Middle School (6-8)	$11,700/yr	$9,400/yr	+$2,300
High School (9-12)	$14,000/yr	$11,300/yr	+$2,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Fort Lauderdale

$152,100

McAllen

$122,200

Choosing McAllen saves $29,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $59,800.

Sample Schools

Fort Lauderdale

Pine Crest School

Independent · PK–12 · $34,800/yr

Cardinal Gibbons High School (Ft. Laud.)

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Westminster Academy

Christian · PK–12 · $18,400/yr

McAllen

McAllen Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $8,200-$10,200/yr

St. Joseph Academy (McAllen)

Catholic · K–12 · $7,400-$9,200/yr

Full Fort Lauderdale breakdown → Full McAllen breakdown →

Florida private school costs Texas private school costs

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.