Is private school cheaper in McAllen or Springfield?

McAllen has lower average private school tuition at $9,400/year vs $22,500/year in Springfield. That's $13,100/year less, or $170,300 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in McAllen is $13,100/year less than Springfield. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $170,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,400/year in McAllen, $12,200/year in Springfield.

How do McAllen and Springfield 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). Springfield averages $22,500/year ($10,150 above average).

Private School Cost: McAllen vs Springfield

McAllen averages $13,100/year less for private school (139% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $170,300 per child.

Bottom Line

McAllen is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,400/year vs $22,500/year in Springfield. Religious schools run $6,400/year on the low end.

McAllen

$9,400

avg tuition/year

$2,950 below national avg

Lower cost

Springfield

$22,500

avg tuition/year

$10,150 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	McAllen	Springfield	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$9,400/yr	$22,500/yr	-$13,100
Religious Schools	$6,400/yr	$12,200/yr	-$5,800
Independent/Prep	$19,800/yr	$45,800/yr	-$26,000
Elementary (K-5)	$8,000/yr	$19,100/yr	-$11,100
Middle School (6-8)	$9,400/yr	$22,500/yr	-$13,100
High School (9-12)	$11,300/yr	$27,000/yr	-$15,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

McAllen

$122,200

Springfield

$292,500

Choosing McAllen saves $170,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $340,600.

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

Springfield

Cathedral High School (Springfield MA)

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,200/yr

The MacDuffie School

Independent · 6–12 · $38,400/yr

Full McAllen breakdown → Full Springfield breakdown →

Texas private school costs Massachusetts 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.