PrivateSchoolCost

Private School Cost: Houston vs Milwaukee

Milwaukee averages $4,600/year less for private school (41% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $59,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Milwaukee is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,200/year vs $15,800/year in Houston. Religious schools run $7,400/year on the low end.

Houston

TX

$15,800

avg tuition/year

$3,450 above national avg

Milwaukee

WI

$11,200

avg tuition/year

$1,150 below national avg
Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category Houston Milwaukee Difference
All Schools (Average) $15,800/yr $11,200/yr +$4,600
Religious Schools $9,200/yr $7,400/yr +$1,800
Independent/Prep $28,000/yr $21,000/yr +$7,000
Elementary (K-5) $13,000/yr $9,200/yr +$3,800
Middle School (6-8) $15,800/yr $11,200/yr +$4,600
High School (9-12) $19,500/yr $13,800/yr +$5,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Houston

$205,400

Milwaukee

$145,600

Choosing Milwaukee saves $59,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $119,600.

Sample Schools

Houston

St. John's School (Houston)

Independent · K–12 · $33,900-$36,200/yr

Kinkaid School

Independent · PK–12 · $34,500-$37,000/yr

Strake Jesuit College Preparatory

Catholic · 9–12 · $20,400/yr

Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart

Catholic · K–12 · $20,100/yr

Milwaukee

University School of Milwaukee

Independent · PK–12 · $22,800-$25,200/yr

Milwaukee University School

Independent · PK–12 · $21,400/yr

Marquette University High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Divine Savior Holy Angels High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,200/yr

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.