Is private school cheaper in McKinney or Thornton?

McKinney has lower average private school tuition at $12,600/year vs $13,100/year in Thornton. That's $500/year less, or $6,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in McKinney is $500/year less than Thornton. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $6,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,600/year in McKinney, $8,500/year in Thornton.

How do McKinney and Thornton 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). Thornton averages $13,100/year ($750 above average).

Private School Cost: McKinney vs Thornton

McKinney averages $500/year less for private school (4% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $6,500 per child.

Bottom Line

McKinney is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $12,600/year vs $13,100/year in Thornton. Religious schools run $8,500/year on the low end.

McKinney

$12,600

avg tuition/year

$250 above national avg

Lower cost

Thornton

$13,100

avg tuition/year

$750 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	McKinney	Thornton	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$12,600/yr	$13,100/yr	-$500
Religious Schools	$8,600/yr	$8,500/yr	+$100
Independent/Prep	$26,600/yr	$25,700/yr	+$900
Elementary (K-5)	$10,700/yr	$11,100/yr	-$400
Middle School (6-8)	$12,600/yr	$13,100/yr	-$500
High School (9-12)	$15,100/yr	$15,700/yr	-$600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

McKinney

$163,800

Thornton

$170,300

Choosing McKinney saves $6,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $13,000.

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

Thornton

Thornton Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

St. Pius X Catholic School (Thornton)

Catholic · K–8 · $8,400-$10,200/yr

Full McKinney breakdown → Full Thornton breakdown →

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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.