Is private school cheaper in Albany or Phoenix?

Phoenix has lower average private school tuition at $13,400/year vs $19,700/year in Albany. That's $6,300/year less, or $81,900 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Phoenix over Albany?

Average tuition in Phoenix is $6,300/year less than Albany. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $81,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $11,300/year in Albany, $8,600/year in Phoenix.

How do Albany and Phoenix private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Albany averages $19,700/year ($7,350 above average). Phoenix averages $13,400/year ($1,050 above average).

Private School Cost: Albany vs Phoenix

Phoenix averages $6,300/year less for private school (47% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $81,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Phoenix is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,400/year vs $19,700/year in Albany. Religious schools run $8,600/year on the low end.

Albany

$19,700

avg tuition/year

$7,350 above national avg

Phoenix

$13,400

avg tuition/year

$1,050 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Albany	Phoenix	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$19,700/yr	$13,400/yr	+$6,300
Religious Schools	$11,300/yr	$8,600/yr	+$2,700
Independent/Prep	$41,900/yr	$24,500/yr	+$17,400
Elementary (K-5)	$16,700/yr	$11,000/yr	+$5,700
Middle School (6-8)	$19,700/yr	$13,400/yr	+$6,300
High School (9-12)	$23,600/yr	$16,500/yr	+$7,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Albany

$256,100

Phoenix

$174,200

Choosing Phoenix saves $81,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $163,800.

Sample Schools

Albany

Albany Academy (NY)

Independent · PK–12 · $28,400/yr

Vincentian Institute

Catholic · PK–12 · $12,800/yr

Phoenix

Brophy College Preparatory

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,800/yr

Xavier College Preparatory

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,400/yr

Scottsdale Preparatory Academy

Independent · 6–12 · $12,800-$14,200/yr

Notre Dame Preparatory High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,200/yr

Full Albany breakdown → Full Phoenix breakdown →

New York private school costs Arizona private school costs

Related Comparisons

Denver vs Phoenix → San Francisco vs Phoenix → Boston vs Phoenix → Los Angeles vs Phoenix →

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.