Is private school cheaper in Anchorage or Fresno?

Fresno has lower average private school tuition at $10,500/year vs $11,900/year in Anchorage. That's $1,400/year less, or $18,200 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Fresno over Anchorage?

Average tuition in Fresno is $1,400/year less than Anchorage. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $18,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,900/year in Anchorage, $7,000/year in Fresno.

How do Anchorage and Fresno private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Anchorage averages $11,900/year ($450 below average). Fresno averages $10,500/year ($1,850 below average).

Private School Cost: Anchorage vs Fresno

Fresno averages $1,400/year less for private school (13% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $18,200 per child.

Bottom Line

Fresno is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,500/year vs $11,900/year in Anchorage. Religious schools run $7,000/year on the low end.

Anchorage

$11,900

avg tuition/year

$450 below national avg

Fresno

$10,500

avg tuition/year

$1,850 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Anchorage	Fresno	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,900/yr	$10,500/yr	+$1,400
Religious Schools	$7,900/yr	$7,000/yr	+$900
Independent/Prep	$21,500/yr	$19,500/yr	+$2,000
Elementary (K-5)	$10,100/yr	$8,600/yr	+$1,500
Middle School (6-8)	$11,900/yr	$10,500/yr	+$1,400
High School (9-12)	$14,300/yr	$12,900/yr	+$1,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Anchorage

$154,700

Fresno

$136,500

Choosing Fresno saves $18,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $36,400.

Sample Schools

Anchorage

Pacific Northern Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $14,800/yr

Holy Rosary Academy (Anchorage)

Catholic · PK–8 · $9,600-$11,800/yr

Fresno

Clovis Christian Schools

Christian · K–12 · $9,200-$10,800/yr

Central High School (Fresno) (Catholic)

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,800/yr

Bullard Talent School

Magnet (Free) · K–8

Fresno Christian Schools

Christian · K–12 · $9,800-$11,400/yr

Full Anchorage breakdown → Full Fresno breakdown →

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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.