Is private school cheaper in Lincoln or Sparks?

Lincoln has lower average private school tuition at $7,200/year vs $11,200/year in Sparks. That's $4,000/year less, or $52,000 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Lincoln over Sparks?

Average tuition in Lincoln is $4,000/year less than Sparks. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $52,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,000/year in Lincoln, $7,800/year in Sparks.

How do Lincoln and Sparks private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Lincoln averages $7,200/year ($5,150 below average). Sparks averages $11,200/year ($1,150 below average).

Private School Cost: Lincoln vs Sparks

Lincoln averages $4,000/year less for private school (56% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $52,000 per child.

Bottom Line

Lincoln is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,200/year vs $11,200/year in Sparks. Religious schools run $5,000/year on the low end.

Lincoln

$7,200

avg tuition/year

$5,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Sparks

$11,200

avg tuition/year

$1,150 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Lincoln	Sparks	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$7,200/yr	$11,200/yr	-$4,000
Religious Schools	$5,000/yr	$7,800/yr	-$2,800
Independent/Prep	$15,600/yr	$22,500/yr	-$6,900
Elementary (K-5)	$6,100/yr	$9,500/yr	-$3,400
Middle School (6-8)	$7,200/yr	$11,200/yr	-$4,000
High School (9-12)	$8,600/yr	$13,400/yr	-$4,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Lincoln

$93,600

Sparks

$145,600

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

Sample Schools

Lincoln

Lincoln Christian High School

Christian · K–12 · $9,600-$11,800/yr

Pius X High School (Lincoln)

Catholic · 9–12 · $8,800/yr

Sparks

Coral Academy of Science (Sparks)

Independent · K–12 · $7,400-$9,200/yr

St. Albert School (Sparks)

Catholic · K–8 · $8,200-$10,200/yr

Full Lincoln breakdown → Full Sparks breakdown →

Nebraska private school costs Nevada 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.