PrivateSchoolCost

Private School Cost: Plano vs Topeka

Topeka averages $5,900/year less for private school (86% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $76,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Topeka is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,900/year vs $12,800/year in Plano. Religious schools run $4,800/year on the low end.

Plano

TX

$12,800

avg tuition/year

$450 above national avg

Topeka

KS

$6,900

avg tuition/year

$5,450 below national avg
Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category Plano Topeka Difference
All Schools (Average) $12,800/yr $6,900/yr +$5,900
Religious Schools $8,700/yr $4,800/yr +$3,900
Independent/Prep $27,100/yr $14,300/yr +$12,800
Elementary (K-5) $10,900/yr $5,900/yr +$5,000
Middle School (6-8) $12,800/yr $6,900/yr +$5,900
High School (9-12) $15,400/yr $8,300/yr +$7,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Plano

$166,400

Topeka

$89,700

Choosing Topeka saves $76,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $153,400.

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

Topeka

Topeka Collegiate School

Independent · K–8 · $12,400/yr

Hayden Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $9,400/yr

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.