Is private school cheaper in Minneapolis or Waco?

Waco has lower average private school tuition at $10,100/year vs $15,000/year in Minneapolis. That's $4,900/year less, or $63,700 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Waco is $4,900/year less than Minneapolis. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $63,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,200/year in Minneapolis, $6,900/year in Waco.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Minneapolis averages $15,000/year ($2,650 above average). Waco averages $10,100/year ($2,250 below average).

Private School Cost: Minneapolis vs Waco

Waco averages $4,900/year less for private school (49% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $63,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Waco is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,100/year vs $15,000/year in Minneapolis. Religious schools run $6,900/year on the low end.

Minneapolis

$15,000

avg tuition/year

$2,650 above national avg

Waco

$10,100

avg tuition/year

$2,250 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Minneapolis	Waco	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$15,000/yr	$10,100/yr	+$4,900
Religious Schools	$9,200/yr	$6,900/yr	+$2,300
Independent/Prep	$27,500/yr	$21,300/yr	+$6,200
Elementary (K-5)	$12,200/yr	$8,600/yr	+$3,600
Middle School (6-8)	$15,000/yr	$10,100/yr	+$4,900
High School (9-12)	$18,500/yr	$12,100/yr	+$6,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Minneapolis

$195,000

Waco

$131,300

Choosing Waco saves $63,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $127,400.

Sample Schools

Minneapolis

Blake School

Independent · PK–12 · $34,800-$37,200/yr

Breck School

Independent · PK–12 · $28,400/yr

Minnehaha Academy

Christian · PK–12 · $16,200-$17,800/yr

De La Salle High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $15,800/yr

Waco

Vanguard College Preparatory

Christian · 6–12 · $12,400/yr

Reicher Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $10,200/yr

Full Minneapolis breakdown → Full Waco breakdown →

Minnesota private school costs Texas private school costs

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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.