Is private school cheaper in Lakewood or McAllen?

McAllen has lower average private school tuition at $9,400/year vs $13,400/year in Lakewood. That's $4,000/year less, or $52,000 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing McAllen over Lakewood?

Average tuition in McAllen is $4,000/year less than Lakewood. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $52,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,700/year in Lakewood, $6,400/year in McAllen.

How do Lakewood and McAllen private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Lakewood averages $13,400/year ($1,050 above average). McAllen averages $9,400/year ($2,950 below average).

Private School Cost: Lakewood vs McAllen

McAllen averages $4,000/year less for private school (43% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $52,000 per child.

Bottom Line

McAllen is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,400/year vs $13,400/year in Lakewood. Religious schools run $6,400/year on the low end.

Lakewood

$13,400

avg tuition/year

$1,050 above national avg

McAllen

$9,400

avg tuition/year

$2,950 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Lakewood	McAllen	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$13,400/yr	$9,400/yr	+$4,000
Religious Schools	$8,700/yr	$6,400/yr	+$2,300
Independent/Prep	$26,500/yr	$19,800/yr	+$6,700
Elementary (K-5)	$11,400/yr	$8,000/yr	+$3,400
Middle School (6-8)	$13,400/yr	$9,400/yr	+$4,000
High School (9-12)	$16,100/yr	$11,300/yr	+$4,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Lakewood

$174,200

McAllen

$122,200

Choosing McAllen saves $52,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $104,000.

Sample Schools

Lakewood

Colorado Academy (Lakewood area)

Independent · PK–12 · $22,400/yr

Chatfield Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,800-$12,200/yr

McAllen

McAllen Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $8,200-$10,200/yr

St. Joseph Academy (McAllen)

Catholic · K–12 · $7,400-$9,200/yr

Full Lakewood breakdown → Full McAllen breakdown →

Colorado private school costs Texas 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.