Is private school cheaper in Port St. Lucie or Waco?

Port St. Lucie has lower average private school tuition at $9,600/year vs $10,100/year in Waco. That's $500/year less, or $6,500 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Port St. Lucie over Waco?

Average tuition in Port St. Lucie is $500/year less than Waco. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $6,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,600/year in Port St. Lucie, $6,900/year in Waco.

How do Port St. Lucie and Waco private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Port St. Lucie averages $9,600/year ($2,750 below average). Waco averages $10,100/year ($2,250 below average).

Private School Cost: Port St. Lucie vs Waco

Port St. Lucie averages $500/year less for private school (5% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $6,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Port St. Lucie is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,600/year vs $10,100/year in Waco. Religious schools run $6,600/year on the low end.

Port St. Lucie

$9,600

avg tuition/year

$2,750 below national avg

Lower cost

Waco

$10,100

avg tuition/year

$2,250 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Port St. Lucie	Waco	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$9,600/yr	$10,100/yr	-$500
Religious Schools	$6,600/yr	$6,900/yr	-$300
Independent/Prep	$19,800/yr	$21,300/yr	-$1,500
Elementary (K-5)	$8,200/yr	$8,600/yr	-$400
Middle School (6-8)	$9,600/yr	$10,100/yr	-$500
High School (9-12)	$11,500/yr	$12,100/yr	-$600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Port St. Lucie

$124,800

Waco

$131,300

Choosing Port St. Lucie saves $6,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $13,000.

Sample Schools

Port St. Lucie

Port St. Lucie Christian School

Christian · PK–12 · $8,800-$11,200/yr

Saint Bernadette School (PSL)

Catholic · K–8 · $7,600-$9,400/yr

Waco

Vanguard College Preparatory

Christian · 6–12 · $12,400/yr

Reicher Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $10,200/yr

Full Port St. Lucie breakdown → Full Waco breakdown →

Florida 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.