Is private school cheaper in Plano or Riverside?

Plano has lower average private school tuition at $12,800/year vs $14,900/year in Riverside. That's $2,100/year less, or $27,300 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Plano over Riverside?

Average tuition in Plano is $2,100/year less than Riverside. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $27,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,700/year in Plano, $9,700/year in Riverside.

How do Plano and Riverside private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Plano averages $12,800/year ($450 above average). Riverside averages $14,900/year ($2,550 above average).

Private School Cost: Plano vs Riverside

Plano averages $2,100/year less for private school (16% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $27,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Plano is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $12,800/year vs $14,900/year in Riverside. Religious schools run $8,700/year on the low end.

Plano

$12,800

avg tuition/year

$450 above national avg

Lower cost

Riverside

$14,900

avg tuition/year

$2,550 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Plano	Riverside	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$12,800/yr	$14,900/yr	-$2,100
Religious Schools	$8,700/yr	$9,700/yr	-$1,000
Independent/Prep	$27,100/yr	$29,000/yr	-$1,900
Elementary (K-5)	$10,900/yr	$12,700/yr	-$1,800
Middle School (6-8)	$12,800/yr	$14,900/yr	-$2,100
High School (9-12)	$15,400/yr	$17,900/yr	-$2,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Plano

$166,400

Riverside

$193,700

Choosing Plano saves $27,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $54,600.

Sample Schools

Plano

Prestonwood Christian Academy

Christian · PK–12 · $18,200/yr

Parish Episcopal School (Plano)

Independent · PK–12 · $24,800/yr

St. Mark the Evangelist School

Catholic · K–8 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

Riverside

Notre Dame High School (Riverside)

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,800/yr

Riverside Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

Full Plano breakdown → Full Riverside breakdown →

Texas private school costs California 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.