Is private school cheaper in San Antonio or Waco?

Waco has lower average private school tuition at $10,100/year vs $11,200/year in San Antonio. That's $1,100/year less, or $14,300 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Waco is $1,100/year less than San Antonio. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $14,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,600/year in San Antonio, $6,900/year in Waco.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. San Antonio averages $11,200/year ($1,150 below average). Waco averages $10,100/year ($2,250 below average).

Private School Cost: San Antonio vs Waco

Waco averages $1,100/year less for private school (11% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $14,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Waco is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,100/year vs $11,200/year in San Antonio. Religious schools run $6,900/year on the low end.

San Antonio

$11,200

avg tuition/year

$1,150 below national avg

Waco

$10,100

avg tuition/year

$2,250 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	San Antonio	Waco	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,200/yr	$10,100/yr	+$1,100
Religious Schools	$7,600/yr	$6,900/yr	+$700
Independent/Prep	$21,000/yr	$21,300/yr	-$300
Elementary (K-5)	$9,200/yr	$8,600/yr	+$600
Middle School (6-8)	$11,200/yr	$10,100/yr	+$1,100
High School (9-12)	$13,800/yr	$12,100/yr	+$1,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

San Antonio

$145,600

Waco

$131,300

Choosing Waco saves $14,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $28,600.

Sample Schools

San Antonio

Keystone School (San Antonio)

Independent · PK–12 · $21,200-$23,600/yr

Central Catholic High School (San Antonio)

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,800/yr

Providence Catholic School

Catholic · K–8 · $8,200-$9,800/yr

Antonian College Preparatory

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

Waco

Vanguard College Preparatory

Christian · 6–12 · $12,400/yr

Reicher Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $10,200/yr

Full San Antonio breakdown → Full Waco breakdown →

Texas private school costs

Related Comparisons

Dallas vs San Antonio → Austin vs San Antonio →

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.