Is private school cheaper in Waco or Worcester?

Waco has lower average private school tuition at $10,100/year vs $23,600/year in Worcester. That's $13,500/year less, or $175,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Waco is $13,500/year less than Worcester. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $175,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,900/year in Waco, $12,800/year in Worcester.

How do Waco and Worcester 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). Worcester averages $23,600/year ($11,250 above average).

Private School Cost: Waco vs Worcester

Waco averages $13,500/year less for private school (134% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $175,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Waco is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,100/year vs $23,600/year in Worcester. Religious schools run $6,900/year on the low end.

Waco

$10,100

avg tuition/year

$2,250 below national avg

Lower cost

Worcester

$23,600

avg tuition/year

$11,250 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Waco	Worcester	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$10,100/yr	$23,600/yr	-$13,500
Religious Schools	$6,900/yr	$12,800/yr	-$5,900
Independent/Prep	$21,300/yr	$48,100/yr	-$26,800
Elementary (K-5)	$8,600/yr	$20,100/yr	-$11,500
Middle School (6-8)	$10,100/yr	$23,600/yr	-$13,500
High School (9-12)	$12,100/yr	$28,300/yr	-$16,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Waco

$131,300

Worcester

$306,800

Choosing Waco saves $175,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $351,000.

Sample Schools

Waco

Vanguard College Preparatory

Christian · 6–12 · $12,400/yr

Reicher Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $10,200/yr

Worcester

Holy Name Central Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,800/yr

Worcester Academy

Independent · 9–12 · $36,400/yr

Full Waco breakdown → Full Worcester breakdown →

Texas private school costs Massachusetts 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.