Is private school cheaper in Little Rock or Plano?

Little Rock has lower average private school tuition at $6,600/year vs $12,800/year in Plano. That's $6,200/year less, or $80,600 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Little Rock over Plano?

Average tuition in Little Rock is $6,200/year less than Plano. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $80,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,000/year in Little Rock, $8,700/year in Plano.

How do Little Rock and Plano private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Little Rock averages $6,600/year ($5,750 below average). Plano averages $12,800/year ($450 above average).

Private School Cost: Little Rock vs Plano

Little Rock averages $6,200/year less for private school (94% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $80,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Little Rock is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,600/year vs $12,800/year in Plano. Religious schools run $5,000/year on the low end.

Little Rock

$6,600

avg tuition/year

$5,750 below national avg

Lower cost

Plano

$12,800

avg tuition/year

$450 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Little Rock	Plano	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$6,600/yr	$12,800/yr	-$6,200
Religious Schools	$5,000/yr	$8,700/yr	-$3,700
Independent/Prep	$13,100/yr	$27,100/yr	-$14,000
Elementary (K-5)	$5,600/yr	$10,900/yr	-$5,300
Middle School (6-8)	$6,600/yr	$12,800/yr	-$6,200
High School (9-12)	$7,900/yr	$15,400/yr	-$7,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Little Rock

$85,800

Plano

$166,400

Choosing Little Rock saves $80,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $161,200.

Sample Schools

Little Rock

Pulaski Academy (Little Rock)

Independent · PK–12 · $11,800/yr

Mount St. Mary Academy

Catholic · 9–12 · $11,200/yr

Plano

Prestonwood Christian Academy

Christian · PK–12 · $18,200/yr

Parish Episcopal School (Plano)

Independent · PK–12 · $24,800/yr

St. Mark the Evangelist School

Catholic · K–8 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

Full Little Rock breakdown → Full Plano breakdown →

Arkansas 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.