Is private school cheaper in San Jose or Waco?

Waco has lower average private school tuition at $10,100/year vs $25,200/year in San Jose. That's $15,100/year less, or $196,300 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Waco is $15,100/year less than San Jose. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $196,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $13,800/year in San Jose, $6,900/year in Waco.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. San Jose averages $25,200/year ($12,850 above average). Waco averages $10,100/year ($2,250 below average).

Private School Cost: San Jose vs Waco

Waco averages $15,100/year less for private school (150% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $196,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Waco is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,100/year vs $25,200/year in San Jose. Religious schools run $6,900/year on the low end.

San Jose

$25,200

avg tuition/year

$12,850 above national avg

Waco

$10,100

avg tuition/year

$2,250 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	San Jose	Waco	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$25,200/yr	$10,100/yr	+$15,100
Religious Schools	$13,800/yr	$6,900/yr	+$6,900
Independent/Prep	$40,500/yr	$21,300/yr	+$19,200
Elementary (K-5)	$20,500/yr	$8,600/yr	+$11,900
Middle School (6-8)	$25,200/yr	$10,100/yr	+$15,100
High School (9-12)	$31,200/yr	$12,100/yr	+$19,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

San Jose

$327,600

Waco

$131,300

Choosing Waco saves $196,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $392,600.

Sample Schools

San Jose

Harker School

Independent · K–12 · $48,200-$51,600/yr

Bellarmine College Preparatory

Catholic · 9–12 · $22,800/yr

Archbishop Mitty High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $21,400/yr

Presentation High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $20,800/yr

Waco

Vanguard College Preparatory

Christian · 6–12 · $12,400/yr

Reicher Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $10,200/yr

Full San Jose breakdown → Full Waco breakdown →

California private school costs Texas private school costs

Related Comparisons

Los Angeles vs San Jose → San Francisco vs San Jose →

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.