Is private school cheaper in Palmdale or Waco?

Waco has lower average private school tuition at $10,100/year vs $14,900/year in Palmdale. That's $4,800/year less, or $62,400 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Waco is $4,800/year less than Palmdale. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $62,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,700/year in Palmdale, $6,900/year in Waco.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Palmdale averages $14,900/year ($2,550 above average). Waco averages $10,100/year ($2,250 below average).

Private School Cost: Palmdale vs Waco

Waco averages $4,800/year less for private school (48% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $62,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Waco is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,100/year vs $14,900/year in Palmdale. Religious schools run $6,900/year on the low end.

Palmdale

$14,900

avg tuition/year

$2,550 above national avg

Waco

$10,100

avg tuition/year

$2,250 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Palmdale	Waco	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$14,900/yr	$10,100/yr	+$4,800
Religious Schools	$9,700/yr	$6,900/yr	+$2,800
Independent/Prep	$29,000/yr	$21,300/yr	+$7,700
Elementary (K-5)	$12,700/yr	$8,600/yr	+$4,100
Middle School (6-8)	$14,900/yr	$10,100/yr	+$4,800
High School (9-12)	$17,900/yr	$12,100/yr	+$5,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Palmdale

$193,700

Waco

$131,300

Choosing Waco saves $62,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $124,800.

Sample Schools

Palmdale

Palmdale Aerospace Academy (Private)

Independent · K–12 · $10,200/yr

St. Mary School (Palmdale)

Catholic · K–8 · $8,200-$9,800/yr

Waco

Vanguard College Preparatory

Christian · 6–12 · $12,400/yr

Reicher Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $10,200/yr

Full Palmdale breakdown → Full Waco breakdown →

California 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.