Private School Cost: Houston vs Waco
Waco averages $5,700/year less for private school (56% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $74,100 per child.
Bottom Line
Waco is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,100/year vs $15,800/year in Houston. Religious schools run $6,900/year on the low end.
Houston
TX
$15,800
avg tuition/year
Waco
TX
$10,100
avg tuition/year
Tuition by School Type & Grade
| Category | Houston | Waco | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Schools (Average) | $15,800/yr | $10,100/yr | +$5,700 |
| Religious Schools | $9,200/yr | $6,900/yr | +$2,300 |
| Independent/Prep | $28,000/yr | $21,300/yr | +$6,700 |
| Elementary (K-5) | $13,000/yr | $8,600/yr | +$4,400 |
| Middle School (6-8) | $15,800/yr | $10,100/yr | +$5,700 |
| High School (9-12) | $19,500/yr | $12,100/yr | +$7,400 |
K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)
Houston
$205,400
Waco
$131,300
Choosing Waco saves $74,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $148,200.
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
Waco
Vanguard College Preparatory
Christian · 6–12 · $12,400/yr
Reicher Catholic High School
Catholic · 9–12 · $10,200/yr
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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.