Is private school cheaper in McKinney or Sparks?

Sparks has lower average private school tuition at $11,200/year vs $12,600/year in McKinney. That's $1,400/year less, or $18,200 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Sparks is $1,400/year less than McKinney. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $18,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,600/year in McKinney, $7,800/year in Sparks.

How do McKinney and Sparks 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). Sparks averages $11,200/year ($1,150 below average).

Private School Cost: McKinney vs Sparks

Sparks averages $1,400/year less for private school (13% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $18,200 per child.

Bottom Line

Sparks is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,200/year vs $12,600/year in McKinney. Religious schools run $7,800/year on the low end.

McKinney

$12,600

avg tuition/year

$250 above national avg

Sparks

$11,200

avg tuition/year

$1,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	McKinney	Sparks	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$12,600/yr	$11,200/yr	+$1,400
Religious Schools	$8,600/yr	$7,800/yr	+$800
Independent/Prep	$26,600/yr	$22,500/yr	+$4,100
Elementary (K-5)	$10,700/yr	$9,500/yr	+$1,200
Middle School (6-8)	$12,600/yr	$11,200/yr	+$1,400
High School (9-12)	$15,100/yr	$13,400/yr	+$1,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

McKinney

$163,800

Sparks

$145,600

Choosing Sparks saves $18,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $36,400.

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

Sparks

Coral Academy of Science (Sparks)

Independent · K–12 · $7,400-$9,200/yr

St. Albert School (Sparks)

Catholic · K–8 · $8,200-$10,200/yr

Full McKinney breakdown → Full Sparks breakdown →

Texas private school costs Nevada 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.