Is private school cheaper in Tacoma or Waco?

Waco has lower average private school tuition at $10,100/year vs $13,700/year in Tacoma. That's $3,600/year less, or $46,800 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Waco is $3,600/year less than Tacoma. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $46,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,400/year in Tacoma, $6,900/year in Waco.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Tacoma averages $13,700/year ($1,350 above average). Waco averages $10,100/year ($2,250 below average).

Private School Cost: Tacoma vs Waco

Waco averages $3,600/year less for private school (36% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $46,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Waco is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,100/year vs $13,700/year in Tacoma. Religious schools run $6,900/year on the low end.

Tacoma

$13,700

avg tuition/year

$1,350 above national avg

Waco

$10,100

avg tuition/year

$2,250 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Tacoma	Waco	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$13,700/yr	$10,100/yr	+$3,600
Religious Schools	$9,400/yr	$6,900/yr	+$2,500
Independent/Prep	$29,400/yr	$21,300/yr	+$8,100
Elementary (K-5)	$11,600/yr	$8,600/yr	+$3,000
Middle School (6-8)	$13,700/yr	$10,100/yr	+$3,600
High School (9-12)	$16,400/yr	$12,100/yr	+$4,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Tacoma

$178,100

Waco

$131,300

Choosing Waco saves $46,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $93,600.

Sample Schools

Tacoma

Charles Wright Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $28,400/yr

Bellarmine Preparatory School

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,400/yr

Waco

Vanguard College Preparatory

Christian · 6–12 · $12,400/yr

Reicher Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $10,200/yr

Full Tacoma breakdown → Full Waco breakdown →

Washington 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.