Is private school cheaper in McAllen or Sterling Heights?

Sterling Heights has lower average private school tuition at $9,300/year vs $9,400/year in McAllen. That's $100/year less, or $1,300 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Sterling Heights is $100/year less than McAllen. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $1,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,400/year in McAllen, $6,400/year in Sterling Heights.

How do McAllen and Sterling Heights 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). Sterling Heights averages $9,300/year ($3,050 below average).

Private School Cost: McAllen vs Sterling Heights

Sterling Heights averages $100/year less for private school (1% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $1,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Sterling Heights is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,300/year vs $9,400/year in McAllen. Religious schools run $6,400/year on the low end.

McAllen

$9,400

avg tuition/year

$2,950 below national avg

Sterling Heights

$9,300

avg tuition/year

$3,050 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

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

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

McAllen

$122,200

Sterling Heights

$120,900

Choosing Sterling Heights saves $1,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $2,600.

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

Sterling Heights

De La Salle Collegiate High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $11,800/yr

Utica Community Christian Schools

Christian · K–12 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

Full McAllen breakdown → Full Sterling Heights breakdown →

Texas private school costs Michigan 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.