Is private school cheaper in Topeka or Waco?

Topeka has lower average private school tuition at $6,900/year vs $10,100/year in Waco. That's $3,200/year less, or $41,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Topeka is $3,200/year less than Waco. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $41,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $4,800/year in Topeka, $6,900/year in Waco.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Topeka averages $6,900/year ($5,450 below average). Waco averages $10,100/year ($2,250 below average).

Private School Cost: Topeka vs Waco

Topeka averages $3,200/year less for private school (46% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $41,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Topeka is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,900/year vs $10,100/year in Waco. Religious schools run $4,800/year on the low end.

Topeka

$6,900

avg tuition/year

$5,450 below national avg

Lower cost

Waco

$10,100

avg tuition/year

$2,250 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Topeka	Waco	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$6,900/yr	$10,100/yr	-$3,200
Religious Schools	$4,800/yr	$6,900/yr	-$2,100
Independent/Prep	$14,300/yr	$21,300/yr	-$7,000
Elementary (K-5)	$5,900/yr	$8,600/yr	-$2,700
Middle School (6-8)	$6,900/yr	$10,100/yr	-$3,200
High School (9-12)	$8,300/yr	$12,100/yr	-$3,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Topeka

$89,700

Waco

$131,300

Choosing Topeka saves $41,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $83,200.

Sample Schools

Topeka

Topeka Collegiate School

Independent · K–8 · $12,400/yr

Hayden Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $9,400/yr

Waco

Vanguard College Preparatory

Christian · 6–12 · $12,400/yr

Reicher Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $10,200/yr

Full Topeka breakdown → Full Waco breakdown →

Kansas 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.