Is private school cheaper in Frederick or McAllen?

McAllen has lower average private school tuition at $9,400/year vs $16,700/year in Frederick. That's $7,300/year less, or $94,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in McAllen is $7,300/year less than Frederick. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $94,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $11,300/year in Frederick, $6,400/year in McAllen.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Frederick averages $16,700/year ($4,350 above average). McAllen averages $9,400/year ($2,950 below average).

Private School Cost: Frederick vs McAllen

McAllen averages $7,300/year less for private school (78% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $94,900 per child.

Bottom Line

McAllen is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,400/year vs $16,700/year in Frederick. Religious schools run $6,400/year on the low end.

Frederick

$16,700

avg tuition/year

$4,350 above national avg

McAllen

$9,400

avg tuition/year

$2,950 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Frederick	McAllen	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$16,700/yr	$9,400/yr	+$7,300
Religious Schools	$11,300/yr	$6,400/yr	+$4,900
Independent/Prep	$35,100/yr	$19,800/yr	+$15,300
Elementary (K-5)	$14,200/yr	$8,000/yr	+$6,200
Middle School (6-8)	$16,700/yr	$9,400/yr	+$7,300
High School (9-12)	$20,000/yr	$11,300/yr	+$8,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Frederick

$217,100

McAllen

$122,200

Choosing McAllen saves $94,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $189,800.

Sample Schools

Frederick

Frederick Classical Charter School (Private Prep)

Independent · K–12 · $11,200/yr

Visitation Academy (Frederick MD)

Catholic · PK–8 · $12,400/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 Frederick breakdown → Full McAllen breakdown →

Maryland 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.