Is private school cheaper in Anchorage or Mesa?

Mesa has lower average private school tuition at $9,400/year vs $11,900/year in Anchorage. That's $2,500/year less, or $32,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Mesa is $2,500/year less than Anchorage. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $32,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,900/year in Anchorage, $7,000/year in Mesa.

How do Anchorage and Mesa 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). Mesa averages $9,400/year ($2,950 below average).

Private School Cost: Anchorage vs Mesa

Mesa averages $2,500/year less for private school (27% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $32,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Mesa is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,400/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

Mesa

$9,400

avg tuition/year

$2,950 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Anchorage	Mesa	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,900/yr	$9,400/yr	+$2,500
Religious Schools	$7,900/yr	$7,000/yr	+$900
Independent/Prep	$21,500/yr	$18,000/yr	+$3,500
Elementary (K-5)	$10,100/yr	$8,000/yr	+$2,100
Middle School (6-8)	$11,900/yr	$9,400/yr	+$2,500
High School (9-12)	$14,300/yr	$11,300/yr	+$3,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Anchorage

$154,700

Mesa

$122,200

Choosing Mesa saves $32,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $65,000.

Sample Schools

Anchorage

Pacific Northern Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $14,800/yr

Holy Rosary Academy (Anchorage)

Catholic · PK–8 · $9,600-$11,800/yr

Mesa

Gilbert Christian Schools

Christian · K–12 · $9,800-$12,400/yr

Mesa Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $8,600-$10,800/yr

Full Anchorage breakdown → Full Mesa 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.