Is private school cheaper in Manchester or Waco?

Waco has lower average private school tuition at $10,100/year vs $18,200/year in Manchester. That's $8,100/year less, or $105,300 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Waco over Manchester?

Average tuition in Waco is $8,100/year less than Manchester. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $105,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $10,400/year in Manchester, $6,900/year in Waco.

How do Manchester and Waco private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Manchester averages $18,200/year ($5,850 above average). Waco averages $10,100/year ($2,250 below average).

Private School Cost: Manchester vs Waco

Waco averages $8,100/year less for private school (80% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $105,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Waco is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,100/year vs $18,200/year in Manchester. Religious schools run $6,900/year on the low end.

Manchester

$18,200

avg tuition/year

$5,850 above national avg

Waco

$10,100

avg tuition/year

$2,250 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Manchester	Waco	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,200/yr	$10,100/yr	+$8,100
Religious Schools	$10,400/yr	$6,900/yr	+$3,500
Independent/Prep	$39,300/yr	$21,300/yr	+$18,000
Elementary (K-5)	$15,500/yr	$8,600/yr	+$6,900
Middle School (6-8)	$18,200/yr	$10,100/yr	+$8,100
High School (9-12)	$21,800/yr	$12,100/yr	+$9,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Manchester

$236,600

Waco

$131,300

Choosing Waco saves $105,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $210,600.

Sample Schools

Manchester

Manchester Central Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

Derryfield School (Manchester NH)

Independent · 6–12 · $27,400/yr

Waco

Vanguard College Preparatory

Christian · 6–12 · $12,400/yr

Reicher Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $10,200/yr

Full Manchester breakdown → Full Waco breakdown →

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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.