Private School Cost: Anchorage vs Honolulu
Anchorage averages $8,300/year less for private school (70% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $107,900 per child.
Bottom Line
Anchorage is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,900/year vs $20,200/year in Honolulu. Religious schools run $7,900/year on the low end.
Anchorage
AK
$11,900
avg tuition/year
Honolulu
HI
$20,200
avg tuition/year
Tuition by School Type & Grade
| Category | Anchorage | Honolulu | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Schools (Average) | $11,900/yr | $20,200/yr | -$8,300 |
| Religious Schools | $7,900/yr | $12,900/yr | -$5,000 |
| Independent/Prep | $21,500/yr | $37,600/yr | -$16,100 |
| Elementary (K-5) | $10,100/yr | $17,200/yr | -$7,100 |
| Middle School (6-8) | $11,900/yr | $20,200/yr | -$8,300 |
| High School (9-12) | $14,300/yr | $24,200/yr | -$9,900 |
K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)
Anchorage
$154,700
Honolulu
$262,600
Choosing Anchorage saves $107,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $215,800.
Sample Schools
Anchorage
Pacific Northern Academy
Independent · PK–12 · $14,800/yr
Holy Rosary Academy (Anchorage)
Catholic · PK–8 · $9,600-$11,800/yr
Honolulu
Punahou School
Independent · K–12 · $27,400/yr
Iolani School
Independent (Episcopal) · K–12 · $24,800/yr
Saint Louis School (Honolulu)
Catholic · 9–12 · $13,800/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.