Is private school cheaper in Scranton or Waco?

Waco has lower average private school tuition at $10,100/year vs $12,200/year in Scranton. That's $2,100/year less, or $27,300 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Waco is $2,100/year less than Scranton. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $27,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,800/year in Scranton, $6,900/year in Waco.

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

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

Private School Cost: Scranton vs Waco

Waco averages $2,100/year less for private school (21% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $27,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Waco is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,100/year vs $12,200/year in Scranton. Religious schools run $6,900/year on the low end.

Scranton

$12,200

avg tuition/year

$150 below national avg

Waco

$10,100

avg tuition/year

$2,250 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Scranton	Waco	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$12,200/yr	$10,100/yr	+$2,100
Religious Schools	$7,800/yr	$6,900/yr	+$900
Independent/Prep	$28,300/yr	$21,300/yr	+$7,000
Elementary (K-5)	$10,400/yr	$8,600/yr	+$1,800
Middle School (6-8)	$12,200/yr	$10,100/yr	+$2,100
High School (9-12)	$14,600/yr	$12,100/yr	+$2,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Scranton

$158,600

Waco

$131,300

Choosing Waco saves $27,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $54,600.

Sample Schools

Scranton

Holy Cross High School (Dunmore)

Catholic · 9–12 · $11,200/yr

Wyoming Seminary

Independent · 9–12 · $36,800-$42,000/yr

Waco

Vanguard College Preparatory

Christian · 6–12 · $12,400/yr

Reicher Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $10,200/yr

Full Scranton breakdown → Full Waco breakdown →

Pennsylvania 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.