Is private school cheaper in Plano or Trenton?

Plano has lower average private school tuition at $12,800/year vs $16,800/year in Trenton. That's $4,000/year less, or $52,000 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Plano is $4,000/year less than Trenton. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $52,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,700/year in Plano, $10,800/year in Trenton.

How do Plano and Trenton 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). Trenton averages $16,800/year ($4,450 above average).

Private School Cost: Plano vs Trenton

Plano averages $4,000/year less for private school (31% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $52,000 per child.

Bottom Line

Plano is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $12,800/year vs $16,800/year in Trenton. Religious schools run $8,700/year on the low end.

Plano

$12,800

avg tuition/year

$450 above national avg

Lower cost

Trenton

$16,800

avg tuition/year

$4,450 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Plano	Trenton	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$12,800/yr	$16,800/yr	-$4,000
Religious Schools	$8,700/yr	$10,800/yr	-$2,100
Independent/Prep	$27,100/yr	$35,800/yr	-$8,700
Elementary (K-5)	$10,900/yr	$14,300/yr	-$3,400
Middle School (6-8)	$12,800/yr	$16,800/yr	-$4,000
High School (9-12)	$15,400/yr	$20,200/yr	-$4,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Plano

$166,400

Trenton

$218,400

Choosing Plano saves $52,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $104,000.

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

Trenton

Notre Dame High School (Trenton NJ)

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,200/yr

Trenton Catholic Academy

Catholic · K–12 · $12,400/yr

Full Plano breakdown → Full Trenton breakdown →

Texas private school costs New Jersey 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.