Is private school cheaper in Santa Clarita or Waco?

Waco has lower average private school tuition at $10,100/year vs $18,000/year in Santa Clarita. That's $7,900/year less, or $102,700 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Waco is $7,900/year less than Santa Clarita. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $102,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $11,700/year in Santa Clarita, $6,900/year in Waco.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Santa Clarita averages $18,000/year ($5,650 above average). Waco averages $10,100/year ($2,250 below average).

Private School Cost: Santa Clarita vs Waco

Waco averages $7,900/year less for private school (78% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $102,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Waco is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,100/year vs $18,000/year in Santa Clarita. Religious schools run $6,900/year on the low end.

Santa Clarita

$18,000

avg tuition/year

$5,650 above national avg

Waco

$10,100

avg tuition/year

$2,250 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Santa Clarita	Waco	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,000/yr	$10,100/yr	+$7,900
Religious Schools	$11,700/yr	$6,900/yr	+$4,800
Independent/Prep	$35,100/yr	$21,300/yr	+$13,800
Elementary (K-5)	$15,300/yr	$8,600/yr	+$6,700
Middle School (6-8)	$18,000/yr	$10,100/yr	+$7,900
High School (9-12)	$21,600/yr	$12,100/yr	+$9,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Santa Clarita

$234,000

Waco

$131,300

Choosing Waco saves $102,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $205,400.

Sample Schools

Santa Clarita

The Masters School (Santa Clarita)

Christian · K–12 · $14,800/yr

West Ranch Academy

Independent · 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 Santa Clarita 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.