Is private school cheaper in Honolulu or Topeka?

Topeka has lower average private school tuition at $6,900/year vs $20,200/year in Honolulu. That's $13,300/year less, or $172,900 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Topeka over Honolulu?

Average tuition in Topeka is $13,300/year less than Honolulu. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $172,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $12,900/year in Honolulu, $4,800/year in Topeka.

How do Honolulu and Topeka private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Honolulu averages $20,200/year ($7,850 above average). Topeka averages $6,900/year ($5,450 below average).

Private School Cost: Honolulu vs Topeka

Topeka averages $13,300/year less for private school (193% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $172,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Topeka is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,900/year vs $20,200/year in Honolulu. Religious schools run $4,800/year on the low end.

Honolulu

$20,200

avg tuition/year

$7,850 above national avg

Topeka

$6,900

avg tuition/year

$5,450 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Honolulu	Topeka	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$20,200/yr	$6,900/yr	+$13,300
Religious Schools	$12,900/yr	$4,800/yr	+$8,100
Independent/Prep	$37,600/yr	$14,300/yr	+$23,300
Elementary (K-5)	$17,200/yr	$5,900/yr	+$11,300
Middle School (6-8)	$20,200/yr	$6,900/yr	+$13,300
High School (9-12)	$24,200/yr	$8,300/yr	+$15,900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Honolulu

$262,600

Topeka

$89,700

Choosing Topeka saves $172,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $345,800.

Sample Schools

Honolulu

Punahou School

Independent · K–12 · $27,400/yr

Iolani School

Independent (Episcopal) · K–12 · $24,800/yr

Saint Louis School (Honolulu)

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,800/yr

Topeka

Topeka Collegiate School

Independent · K–8 · $12,400/yr

Hayden Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $9,400/yr

Full Honolulu breakdown → Full Topeka breakdown →

Hawaii private school costs Kansas 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.