Is private school cheaper in Houston or Waterbury?

Houston has lower average private school tuition at $15,800/year vs $20,500/year in Waterbury. That's $4,700/year less, or $61,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Houston is $4,700/year less than Waterbury. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $61,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,200/year in Houston, $11,300/year in Waterbury.

How do Houston and Waterbury 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). Waterbury averages $20,500/year ($8,150 above average).

Private School Cost: Houston vs Waterbury

Houston averages $4,700/year less for private school (30% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $61,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Houston is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $15,800/year vs $20,500/year in Waterbury. Religious schools run $9,200/year on the low end.

Houston

$15,800

avg tuition/year

$3,450 above national avg

Lower cost

Waterbury

$20,500

avg tuition/year

$8,150 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Houston	Waterbury	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$15,800/yr	$20,500/yr	-$4,700
Religious Schools	$9,200/yr	$11,300/yr	-$2,100
Independent/Prep	$28,000/yr	$40,800/yr	-$12,800
Elementary (K-5)	$13,000/yr	$17,400/yr	-$4,400
Middle School (6-8)	$15,800/yr	$20,500/yr	-$4,700
High School (9-12)	$19,500/yr	$24,600/yr	-$5,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Houston

$205,400

Waterbury

$266,500

Choosing Houston saves $61,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $122,200.

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

Waterbury

Holy Cross High School (Waterbury)

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Crosby High School (Waterbury)

Independent · 9–12 · $9,800/yr

Full Houston breakdown → Full Waterbury breakdown →

Texas private school costs Connecticut 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.