Is private school cheaper in Waco or Waterbury?

Waco has lower average private school tuition at $10,100/year vs $20,500/year in Waterbury. That's $10,400/year less, or $135,200 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Waco is $10,400/year less than Waterbury. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $135,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,900/year in Waco, $11,300/year in Waterbury.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Waco averages $10,100/year ($2,250 below average). Waterbury averages $20,500/year ($8,150 above average).

Private School Cost: Waco vs Waterbury

Waco averages $10,400/year less for private school (103% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $135,200 per child.

Bottom Line

Waco is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,100/year vs $20,500/year in Waterbury. Religious schools run $6,900/year on the low end.

Waco

$10,100

avg tuition/year

$2,250 below national avg

Lower cost

Waterbury

$20,500

avg tuition/year

$8,150 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Waco	Waterbury	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$10,100/yr	$20,500/yr	-$10,400
Religious Schools	$6,900/yr	$11,300/yr	-$4,400
Independent/Prep	$21,300/yr	$40,800/yr	-$19,500
Elementary (K-5)	$8,600/yr	$17,400/yr	-$8,800
Middle School (6-8)	$10,100/yr	$20,500/yr	-$10,400
High School (9-12)	$12,100/yr	$24,600/yr	-$12,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Waco

$131,300

Waterbury

$266,500

Choosing Waco saves $135,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $270,400.

Sample Schools

Waco

Vanguard College Preparatory

Christian · 6–12 · $12,400/yr

Reicher Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $10,200/yr

Waterbury

Holy Cross High School (Waterbury)

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Crosby High School (Waterbury)

Independent · 9–12 · $9,800/yr

Full Waco breakdown → Full Waterbury breakdown →

Texas private school costs Connecticut 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.