Is private school cheaper in Lowell or McAllen?

McAllen has lower average private school tuition at $9,400/year vs $23,600/year in Lowell. That's $14,200/year less, or $184,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in McAllen is $14,200/year less than Lowell. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $184,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $12,800/year in Lowell, $6,400/year in McAllen.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Lowell averages $23,600/year ($11,250 above average). McAllen averages $9,400/year ($2,950 below average).

Private School Cost: Lowell vs McAllen

McAllen averages $14,200/year less for private school (151% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $184,600 per child.

Bottom Line

McAllen is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,400/year vs $23,600/year in Lowell. Religious schools run $6,400/year on the low end.

Lowell

$23,600

avg tuition/year

$11,250 above national avg

McAllen

$9,400

avg tuition/year

$2,950 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Lowell	McAllen	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$23,600/yr	$9,400/yr	+$14,200
Religious Schools	$12,800/yr	$6,400/yr	+$6,400
Independent/Prep	$48,100/yr	$19,800/yr	+$28,300
Elementary (K-5)	$20,100/yr	$8,000/yr	+$12,100
Middle School (6-8)	$23,600/yr	$9,400/yr	+$14,200
High School (9-12)	$28,300/yr	$11,300/yr	+$17,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Lowell

$306,800

McAllen

$122,200

Choosing McAllen saves $184,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $369,200.

Sample Schools

Lowell

Lowell Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

St. Michael Academy (Lowell)

Catholic · K–8 · $10,800-$12,800/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 Lowell breakdown → Full McAllen breakdown →

Massachusetts 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.