Is private school cheaper in Mesa or Waco?

Mesa has lower average private school tuition at $9,400/year vs $10,100/year in Waco. That's $700/year less, or $9,100 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Mesa over Waco?

Average tuition in Mesa is $700/year less than Waco. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $9,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,000/year in Mesa, $6,900/year in Waco.

How do Mesa and Waco private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Mesa averages $9,400/year ($2,950 below average). Waco averages $10,100/year ($2,250 below average).

Private School Cost: Mesa vs Waco

Mesa averages $700/year less for private school (7% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $9,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Mesa is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,400/year vs $10,100/year in Waco. Religious schools run $6,900/year on the low end.

Mesa

$9,400

avg tuition/year

$2,950 below national avg

Lower cost

Waco

$10,100

avg tuition/year

$2,250 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Mesa	Waco	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$9,400/yr	$10,100/yr	-$700
Religious Schools	$7,000/yr	$6,900/yr	+$100
Independent/Prep	$18,000/yr	$21,300/yr	-$3,300
Elementary (K-5)	$8,000/yr	$8,600/yr	-$600
Middle School (6-8)	$9,400/yr	$10,100/yr	-$700
High School (9-12)	$11,300/yr	$12,100/yr	-$800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Mesa

$122,200

Waco

$131,300

Choosing Mesa saves $9,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $18,200.

Sample Schools

Mesa

Gilbert Christian Schools

Christian · K–12 · $9,800-$12,400/yr

Mesa Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $8,600-$10,800/yr

Waco

Vanguard College Preparatory

Christian · 6–12 · $12,400/yr

Reicher Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $10,200/yr

Full Mesa breakdown → Full Waco breakdown →

Arizona private school costs Texas 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.