Is private school cheaper in Fort Worth or Waco?

Waco has lower average private school tuition at $10,100/year vs $13,500/year in Fort Worth. That's $3,400/year less, or $44,200 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Waco over Fort Worth?

Average tuition in Waco is $3,400/year less than Fort Worth. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $44,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,800/year in Fort Worth, $6,900/year in Waco.

How do Fort Worth and Waco private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Fort Worth averages $13,500/year ($1,150 above average). Waco averages $10,100/year ($2,250 below average).

Private School Cost: Fort Worth vs Waco

Waco averages $3,400/year less for private school (34% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $44,200 per child.

Bottom Line

Waco is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,100/year vs $13,500/year in Fort Worth. Religious schools run $6,900/year on the low end.

Fort Worth

$13,500

avg tuition/year

$1,150 above national avg

Waco

$10,100

avg tuition/year

$2,250 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Fort Worth	Waco	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$13,500/yr	$10,100/yr	+$3,400
Religious Schools	$8,800/yr	$6,900/yr	+$1,900
Independent/Prep	$25,000/yr	$21,300/yr	+$3,700
Elementary (K-5)	$11,000/yr	$8,600/yr	+$2,400
Middle School (6-8)	$13,500/yr	$10,100/yr	+$3,400
High School (9-12)	$16,600/yr	$12,100/yr	+$4,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Fort Worth

$175,500

Waco

$131,300

Choosing Waco saves $44,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $88,400.

Sample Schools

Fort Worth

Fort Worth Country Day School

Independent · PK–12 · $27,800-$30,200/yr

All Saints' Episcopal School

Independent · PK–12 · $26,400-$28,800/yr

Nolan Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Southwest Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $11,400-$13,200/yr

Waco

Vanguard College Preparatory

Christian · 6–12 · $12,400/yr

Reicher Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $10,200/yr

Full Fort Worth breakdown → Full Waco breakdown →

Texas private school costs

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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.