Private School Cost: Albuquerque vs Sunnyvale
Albuquerque averages $11,400/year less for private school (112% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $148,200 per child.
Bottom Line
Albuquerque is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,200/year vs $21,600/year in Sunnyvale. Religious schools run $7,000/year on the low end.
Albuquerque
NM
$10,200
avg tuition/year
Sunnyvale
CA
$21,600
avg tuition/year
Tuition by School Type & Grade
| Category | Albuquerque | Sunnyvale | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Schools (Average) | $10,200/yr | $21,600/yr | -$11,400 |
| Religious Schools | $7,000/yr | $14,100/yr | -$7,100 |
| Independent/Prep | $19,000/yr | $42,100/yr | -$23,100 |
| Elementary (K-5) | $8,400/yr | $18,400/yr | -$10,000 |
| Middle School (6-8) | $10,200/yr | $21,600/yr | -$11,400 |
| High School (9-12) | $12,500/yr | $25,900/yr | -$13,400 |
K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)
Albuquerque
$132,600
Sunnyvale
$280,800
Choosing Albuquerque saves $148,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $296,400.
Sample Schools
Albuquerque
Albuquerque Academy
Independent · 6–12 · $20,800-$22,400/yr
Sandia Preparatory School
Independent · 6–12 · $18,400/yr
St. Pius X High School (Albuquerque)
Catholic · 9–12 · $10,800/yr
Bosque School
Independent · 6–12 · $19,800-$21,400/yr
Sunnyvale
Archbishop Mitty High School
Catholic · 9–12 · $26,800/yr
Stratford School (Sunnyvale)
Independent · PK–8 · $24,200-$27,600/yr
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.