Private School Cost: Little Rock vs McAllen
Little Rock averages $2,800/year less for private school (42% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $36,400 per child.
Bottom Line
Little Rock is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,600/year vs $9,400/year in McAllen. Religious schools run $5,000/year on the low end.
Little Rock
AR
$6,600
avg tuition/year
McAllen
TX
$9,400
avg tuition/year
Tuition by School Type & Grade
| Category | Little Rock | McAllen | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Schools (Average) | $6,600/yr | $9,400/yr | -$2,800 |
| Religious Schools | $5,000/yr | $6,400/yr | -$1,400 |
| Independent/Prep | $13,100/yr | $19,800/yr | -$6,700 |
| Elementary (K-5) | $5,600/yr | $8,000/yr | -$2,400 |
| Middle School (6-8) | $6,600/yr | $9,400/yr | -$2,800 |
| High School (9-12) | $7,900/yr | $11,300/yr | -$3,400 |
K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)
Little Rock
$85,800
McAllen
$122,200
Choosing Little Rock saves $36,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $72,800.
Sample Schools
Little Rock
Pulaski Academy (Little Rock)
Independent · PK–12 · $11,800/yr
Mount St. Mary Academy
Catholic · 9–12 · $11,200/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
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.