Is private school cheaper in Miami or Waco?

Waco has lower average private school tuition at $10,100/year vs $18,600/year in Miami. That's $8,500/year less, or $110,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Waco is $8,500/year less than Miami. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $110,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $10,800/year in Miami, $6,900/year in Waco.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Miami averages $18,600/year ($6,250 above average). Waco averages $10,100/year ($2,250 below average).

Private School Cost: Miami vs Waco

Waco averages $8,500/year less for private school (84% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $110,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Waco is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,100/year vs $18,600/year in Miami. Religious schools run $6,900/year on the low end.

Miami

$18,600

avg tuition/year

$6,250 above national avg

Waco

$10,100

avg tuition/year

$2,250 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Miami	Waco	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,600/yr	$10,100/yr	+$8,500
Religious Schools	$10,800/yr	$6,900/yr	+$3,900
Independent/Prep	$34,000/yr	$21,300/yr	+$12,700
Elementary (K-5)	$15,500/yr	$8,600/yr	+$6,900
Middle School (6-8)	$18,600/yr	$10,100/yr	+$8,500
High School (9-12)	$23,200/yr	$12,100/yr	+$11,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Miami

$241,800

Waco

$131,300

Choosing Waco saves $110,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $221,000.

Sample Schools

Miami

Ransom Everglades School

Independent · 6–12 · $42,800-$45,200/yr

Palmer Trinity School

Independent · 6–12 · $38,600/yr

Christopher Columbus High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,200/yr

Belen Jesuit Preparatory School

Catholic · 6–12 · $15,900/yr

Waco

Vanguard College Preparatory

Christian · 6–12 · $12,400/yr

Reicher Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $10,200/yr

Full Miami breakdown → Full Waco breakdown →

Florida private school costs Texas private school costs

Related Comparisons

Miami vs Tampa → Miami vs Orlando → Jacksonville vs Miami →

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.