Is private school cheaper in McAllen or New Orleans?

McAllen has lower average private school tuition at $9,400/year vs $11,800/year in New Orleans. That's $2,400/year less, or $31,200 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in McAllen is $2,400/year less than New Orleans. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $31,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,400/year in McAllen, $7,600/year in New Orleans.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. McAllen averages $9,400/year ($2,950 below average). New Orleans averages $11,800/year ($550 below average).

Private School Cost: McAllen vs New Orleans

McAllen averages $2,400/year less for private school (26% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $31,200 per child.

Bottom Line

McAllen is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,400/year vs $11,800/year in New Orleans. Religious schools run $6,400/year on the low end.

McAllen

$9,400

avg tuition/year

$2,950 below national avg

Lower cost

New Orleans

$11,800

avg tuition/year

$550 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	McAllen	New Orleans	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$9,400/yr	$11,800/yr	-$2,400
Religious Schools	$6,400/yr	$7,600/yr	-$1,200
Independent/Prep	$19,800/yr	$22,000/yr	-$2,200
Elementary (K-5)	$8,000/yr	$9,600/yr	-$1,600
Middle School (6-8)	$9,400/yr	$11,800/yr	-$2,400
High School (9-12)	$11,300/yr	$14,600/yr	-$3,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

McAllen

$122,200

New Orleans

$153,400

Choosing McAllen saves $31,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $62,400.

Sample Schools

McAllen

McAllen Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $8,200-$10,200/yr

St. Joseph Academy (McAllen)

Catholic · K–12 · $7,400-$9,200/yr

New Orleans

Tulane-affiliated University Schools

Independent · PK–12 · $21,400-$23,800/yr

Jesuit High School New Orleans

Catholic · 9–12 · $15,400/yr

Ursuline Academy (New Orleans)

Catholic · 6–12 · $13,200/yr

Brother Martin High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,800/yr

Full McAllen breakdown → Full New Orleans breakdown →

Texas private school costs Louisiana 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.