Is private school cheaper in McAllen or Provo?

Provo has lower average private school tuition at $8,500/year vs $9,400/year in McAllen. That's $900/year less, or $11,700 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Provo is $900/year less than McAllen. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $11,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,400/year in McAllen, $5,900/year in Provo.

How do McAllen and Provo 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). Provo averages $8,500/year ($3,850 below average).

Private School Cost: McAllen vs Provo

Provo averages $900/year less for private school (11% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $11,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Provo is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,500/year vs $9,400/year in McAllen. Religious schools run $5,900/year on the low end.

McAllen

$9,400

avg tuition/year

$2,950 below national avg

Provo

$8,500

avg tuition/year

$3,850 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	McAllen	Provo	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$9,400/yr	$8,500/yr	+$900
Religious Schools	$6,400/yr	$5,900/yr	+$500
Independent/Prep	$19,800/yr	$16,900/yr	+$2,900
Elementary (K-5)	$8,000/yr	$7,200/yr	+$800
Middle School (6-8)	$9,400/yr	$8,500/yr	+$900
High School (9-12)	$11,300/yr	$10,200/yr	+$1,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

McAllen

$122,200

Provo

$110,500

Choosing Provo saves $11,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $23,400.

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

Provo

Provo Peaks Elementary (Private)

Independent · K–6 · $7,800-$9,800/yr

Mountain View Academy (Provo)

Independent · K–12 · $8,800-$10,800/yr

Full McAllen breakdown → Full Provo 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.