Is private school cheaper in Houston or Oklahoma City?

Oklahoma City has lower average private school tuition at $10,400/year vs $15,800/year in Houston. That's $5,400/year less, or $70,200 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Oklahoma City over Houston?

Average tuition in Oklahoma City is $5,400/year less than Houston. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $70,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,200/year in Houston, $7,000/year in Oklahoma City.

How do Houston and Oklahoma City private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Houston averages $15,800/year ($3,450 above average). Oklahoma City averages $10,400/year ($1,950 below average).

Private School Cost: Houston vs Oklahoma City

Oklahoma City averages $5,400/year less for private school (52% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $70,200 per child.

Bottom Line

Oklahoma City is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,400/year vs $15,800/year in Houston. Religious schools run $7,000/year on the low end.

Houston

$15,800

avg tuition/year

$3,450 above national avg

Oklahoma City

$10,400

avg tuition/year

$1,950 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Houston	Oklahoma City	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$15,800/yr	$10,400/yr	+$5,400
Religious Schools	$9,200/yr	$7,000/yr	+$2,200
Independent/Prep	$28,000/yr	$19,500/yr	+$8,500
Elementary (K-5)	$13,000/yr	$8,500/yr	+$4,500
Middle School (6-8)	$15,800/yr	$10,400/yr	+$5,400
High School (9-12)	$19,500/yr	$12,800/yr	+$6,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Houston

$205,400

Oklahoma City

$135,200

Choosing Oklahoma City saves $70,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $140,400.

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

Oklahoma City

Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $10,800/yr

Mount St. Mary High School (OKC)

Catholic · 9–12 · $9,200/yr

Heritage Hall School

Independent · PK–12 · $18,800-$20,400/yr

Casady School

Independent · PK–12 · $20,200-$22,400/yr

Full Houston breakdown → Full Oklahoma City breakdown →

Texas private school costs Oklahoma private school costs

Related Comparisons

Houston vs Dallas → Houston vs Austin → San Francisco vs Houston → New York vs Houston →

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.