Is private school cheaper in Albany or Tucson?

Tucson has lower average private school tuition at $10,800/year vs $19,700/year in Albany. That's $8,900/year less, or $115,700 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Tucson is $8,900/year less than Albany. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $115,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $11,300/year in Albany, $7,200/year in Tucson.

How do Albany and Tucson 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). Tucson averages $10,800/year ($1,550 below average).

Private School Cost: Albany vs Tucson

Tucson averages $8,900/year less for private school (82% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $115,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Tucson is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,800/year vs $19,700/year in Albany. Religious schools run $7,200/year on the low end.

Albany

$19,700

avg tuition/year

$7,350 above national avg

Tucson

$10,800

avg tuition/year

$1,550 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Albany	Tucson	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$19,700/yr	$10,800/yr	+$8,900
Religious Schools	$11,300/yr	$7,200/yr	+$4,100
Independent/Prep	$41,900/yr	$20,500/yr	+$21,400
Elementary (K-5)	$16,700/yr	$8,800/yr	+$7,900
Middle School (6-8)	$19,700/yr	$10,800/yr	+$8,900
High School (9-12)	$23,600/yr	$13,400/yr	+$10,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Albany

$256,100

Tucson

$140,400

Choosing Tucson saves $115,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $231,400.

Sample Schools

Albany

Albany Academy (NY)

Independent · PK–12 · $28,400/yr

Vincentian Institute

Catholic · PK–12 · $12,800/yr

Tucson

Basis Tucson North

Charter (Free) · 5–12

Salpointe Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

Pusch Ridge Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $10,200-$11,800/yr

Tanque Verde School

Public District · K–12

Full Albany breakdown → Full Tucson breakdown →

New York private school costs Arizona 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.