Is private school cheaper in Seattle or Waco?

Waco has lower average private school tuition at $10,100/year vs $24,500/year in Seattle. That's $14,400/year less, or $187,200 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Waco is $14,400/year less than Seattle. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $187,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $13,200/year in Seattle, $6,900/year in Waco.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Seattle averages $24,500/year ($12,150 above average). Waco averages $10,100/year ($2,250 below average).

Private School Cost: Seattle vs Waco

Waco averages $14,400/year less for private school (143% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $187,200 per child.

Bottom Line

Waco is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,100/year vs $24,500/year in Seattle. Religious schools run $6,900/year on the low end.

Seattle

$24,500

avg tuition/year

$12,150 above national avg

Waco

$10,100

avg tuition/year

$2,250 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Seattle	Waco	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$24,500/yr	$10,100/yr	+$14,400
Religious Schools	$13,200/yr	$6,900/yr	+$6,300
Independent/Prep	$38,000/yr	$21,300/yr	+$16,700
Elementary (K-5)	$20,000/yr	$8,600/yr	+$11,400
Middle School (6-8)	$24,500/yr	$10,100/yr	+$14,400
High School (9-12)	$30,500/yr	$12,100/yr	+$18,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Seattle

$318,500

Waco

$131,300

Choosing Waco saves $187,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $374,400.

Sample Schools

Seattle

University Prep

Independent · 6–12 · $42,800/yr

Northwest School

Independent · 6–12 · $39,400/yr

Seattle Prep

Catholic · 9–12 · $21,200/yr

O'Dea High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,800/yr

Waco

Vanguard College Preparatory

Christian · 6–12 · $12,400/yr

Reicher Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $10,200/yr

Full Seattle breakdown → Full Waco breakdown →

Washington private school costs Texas private school costs

Related Comparisons

Seattle vs Portland → Seattle vs Denver →

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.