Is private school cheaper in Visalia or Waco?

Waco has lower average private school tuition at $10,100/year vs $13,800/year in Visalia. That's $3,700/year less, or $48,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Waco is $3,700/year less than Visalia. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $48,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,000/year in Visalia, $6,900/year in Waco.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Visalia averages $13,800/year ($1,450 above average). Waco averages $10,100/year ($2,250 below average).

Private School Cost: Visalia vs Waco

Waco averages $3,700/year less for private school (37% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $48,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Waco is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,100/year vs $13,800/year in Visalia. Religious schools run $6,900/year on the low end.

Visalia

$13,800

avg tuition/year

$1,450 above national avg

Waco

$10,100

avg tuition/year

$2,250 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Visalia	Waco	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$13,800/yr	$10,100/yr	+$3,700
Religious Schools	$9,000/yr	$6,900/yr	+$2,100
Independent/Prep	$26,800/yr	$21,300/yr	+$5,500
Elementary (K-5)	$11,700/yr	$8,600/yr	+$3,100
Middle School (6-8)	$13,800/yr	$10,100/yr	+$3,700
High School (9-12)	$16,600/yr	$12,100/yr	+$4,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Visalia

$179,400

Waco

$131,300

Choosing Waco saves $48,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $96,200.

Sample Schools

Visalia

Redwood High School (Catholic)

Catholic · 9–12 · $11,200/yr

Valley Christian School (Visalia)

Christian · K–12 · $8,800-$10,400/yr

Waco

Vanguard College Preparatory

Christian · 6–12 · $12,400/yr

Reicher Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $10,200/yr

Full Visalia 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.