Is private school cheaper in Lowell or Plano?

Plano has lower average private school tuition at $12,800/year vs $23,600/year in Lowell. That's $10,800/year less, or $140,400 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Plano is $10,800/year less than Lowell. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $140,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $12,800/year in Lowell, $8,700/year in Plano.

How do Lowell and Plano 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). Plano averages $12,800/year ($450 above average).

Private School Cost: Lowell vs Plano

Plano averages $10,800/year less for private school (84% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $140,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Plano is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $12,800/year vs $23,600/year in Lowell. Religious schools run $8,700/year on the low end.

Lowell

$23,600

avg tuition/year

$11,250 above national avg

Plano

$12,800

avg tuition/year

$450 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Lowell	Plano	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$23,600/yr	$12,800/yr	+$10,800
Religious Schools	$12,800/yr	$8,700/yr	+$4,100
Independent/Prep	$48,100/yr	$27,100/yr	+$21,000
Elementary (K-5)	$20,100/yr	$10,900/yr	+$9,200
Middle School (6-8)	$23,600/yr	$12,800/yr	+$10,800
High School (9-12)	$28,300/yr	$15,400/yr	+$12,900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Lowell

$306,800

Plano

$166,400

Choosing Plano saves $140,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $280,800.

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

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 Lowell breakdown → Full Plano 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.