Is private school cheaper in McKinney or Salinas?

McKinney has lower average private school tuition at $12,600/year vs $16,500/year in Salinas. That's $3,900/year less, or $50,700 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in McKinney is $3,900/year less than Salinas. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $50,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,600/year in McKinney, $10,700/year in Salinas.

How do McKinney and Salinas 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). Salinas averages $16,500/year ($4,150 above average).

Private School Cost: McKinney vs Salinas

McKinney averages $3,900/year less for private school (31% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $50,700 per child.

Bottom Line

McKinney is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $12,600/year vs $16,500/year in Salinas. Religious schools run $8,600/year on the low end.

McKinney

$12,600

avg tuition/year

$250 above national avg

Lower cost

Salinas

$16,500

avg tuition/year

$4,150 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	McKinney	Salinas	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$12,600/yr	$16,500/yr	-$3,900
Religious Schools	$8,600/yr	$10,700/yr	-$2,100
Independent/Prep	$26,600/yr	$32,000/yr	-$5,400
Elementary (K-5)	$10,700/yr	$14,000/yr	-$3,300
Middle School (6-8)	$12,600/yr	$16,500/yr	-$3,900
High School (9-12)	$15,100/yr	$19,800/yr	-$4,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

McKinney

$163,800

Salinas

$214,500

Choosing McKinney saves $50,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $101,400.

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

Salinas

Notre Dame School (Salinas)

Catholic · K–8 · $12,600/yr

Salinas Valley Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,200/yr

Full McKinney breakdown → Full Salinas breakdown →

Texas private school costs California 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.