Is private school cheaper in Sacramento or Waco?

Waco has lower average private school tuition at $10,100/year vs $16,000/year in Sacramento. That's $5,900/year less, or $76,700 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Waco is $5,900/year less than Sacramento. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $76,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,800/year in Sacramento, $6,900/year in Waco.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Sacramento averages $16,000/year ($3,650 above average). Waco averages $10,100/year ($2,250 below average).

Private School Cost: Sacramento vs Waco

Waco averages $5,900/year less for private school (58% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $76,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Waco is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,100/year vs $16,000/year in Sacramento. Religious schools run $6,900/year on the low end.

Sacramento

$16,000

avg tuition/year

$3,650 above national avg

Waco

$10,100

avg tuition/year

$2,250 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Sacramento	Waco	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$16,000/yr	$10,100/yr	+$5,900
Religious Schools	$9,800/yr	$6,900/yr	+$2,900
Independent/Prep	$28,500/yr	$21,300/yr	+$7,200
Elementary (K-5)	$13,000/yr	$8,600/yr	+$4,400
Middle School (6-8)	$16,000/yr	$10,100/yr	+$5,900
High School (9-12)	$19,800/yr	$12,100/yr	+$7,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Sacramento

$208,000

Waco

$131,300

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

Sample Schools

Sacramento

Sacramento Country Day School

Independent · PK–12 · $29,800-$32,400/yr

Christian Brothers High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,800/yr

Jesuit High School (Sacramento)

Catholic · 9–12 · $19,400/yr

St. Francis High School (Sacramento)

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,200/yr

Waco

Vanguard College Preparatory

Christian · 6–12 · $12,400/yr

Reicher Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $10,200/yr

Full Sacramento 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.