Is private school cheaper in McKinney or Salem?

Salem has lower average private school tuition at $12,400/year vs $12,600/year in McKinney. That's $200/year less, or $2,600 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Salem over McKinney?

Average tuition in Salem is $200/year less than McKinney. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $2,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,600/year in McKinney, $8,400/year in Salem.

How do McKinney and Salem private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. McKinney averages $12,600/year ($250 above average). Salem averages $12,400/year ($50 above average).

Private School Cost: McKinney vs Salem

Salem averages $200/year less for private school (2% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $2,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Salem is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $12,400/year vs $12,600/year in McKinney. Religious schools run $8,400/year on the low end.

McKinney

$12,600

avg tuition/year

$250 above national avg

Salem

$12,400

avg tuition/year

$50 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	McKinney	Salem	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$12,600/yr	$12,400/yr	+$200
Religious Schools	$8,600/yr	$8,400/yr	+$200
Independent/Prep	$26,600/yr	$25,000/yr	+$1,600
Elementary (K-5)	$10,700/yr	$10,500/yr	+$200
Middle School (6-8)	$12,600/yr	$12,400/yr	+$200
High School (9-12)	$15,100/yr	$14,900/yr	+$200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

McKinney

$163,800

Salem

$161,200

Choosing Salem saves $2,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $5,200.

Sample Schools

McKinney

Calvary Christian Academy (McKinney)

Christian · PK–12 · $10,200-$12,800/yr

McKinney Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

Salem

Salem Academy (OR)

Christian · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Blanchet Catholic School (Salem)

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

Full McKinney breakdown → Full Salem breakdown →

Texas private school costs Oregon 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.