Is private school cheaper in Frederick or Waco?

Waco has lower average private school tuition at $10,100/year vs $16,700/year in Frederick. That's $6,600/year less, or $85,800 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Waco is $6,600/year less than Frederick. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $85,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $11,300/year in Frederick, $6,900/year in Waco.

How do Frederick and Waco 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). Waco averages $10,100/year ($2,250 below average).

Private School Cost: Frederick vs Waco

Waco averages $6,600/year less for private school (65% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $85,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Waco is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,100/year vs $16,700/year in Frederick. Religious schools run $6,900/year on the low end.

Frederick

$16,700

avg tuition/year

$4,350 above national avg

Waco

$10,100

avg tuition/year

$2,250 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Frederick	Waco	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$16,700/yr	$10,100/yr	+$6,600
Religious Schools	$11,300/yr	$6,900/yr	+$4,400
Independent/Prep	$35,100/yr	$21,300/yr	+$13,800
Elementary (K-5)	$14,200/yr	$8,600/yr	+$5,600
Middle School (6-8)	$16,700/yr	$10,100/yr	+$6,600
High School (9-12)	$20,000/yr	$12,100/yr	+$7,900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Frederick

$217,100

Waco

$131,300

Choosing Waco saves $85,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $171,600.

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

Waco

Vanguard College Preparatory

Christian · 6–12 · $12,400/yr

Reicher Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $10,200/yr

Full Frederick breakdown → Full Waco 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.