Is private school cheaper in Anchorage or Pasadena?

Pasadena has lower average private school tuition at $11,200/year vs $11,900/year in Anchorage. That's $700/year less, or $9,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Pasadena is $700/year less than Anchorage. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $9,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,900/year in Anchorage, $7,600/year in Pasadena.

How do Anchorage and Pasadena 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). Pasadena averages $11,200/year ($1,150 below average).

Private School Cost: Anchorage vs Pasadena

Pasadena averages $700/year less for private school (6% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $9,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Pasadena is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,200/year vs $11,900/year in Anchorage. Religious schools run $7,600/year on the low end.

Anchorage

$11,900

avg tuition/year

$450 below national avg

Pasadena

$11,200

avg tuition/year

$1,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Anchorage	Pasadena	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,900/yr	$11,200/yr	+$700
Religious Schools	$7,900/yr	$7,600/yr	+$300
Independent/Prep	$21,500/yr	$23,700/yr	-$2,200
Elementary (K-5)	$10,100/yr	$9,500/yr	+$600
Middle School (6-8)	$11,900/yr	$11,200/yr	+$700
High School (9-12)	$14,300/yr	$13,400/yr	+$900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Anchorage

$154,700

Pasadena

$145,600

Choosing Pasadena saves $9,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $18,200.

Sample Schools

Anchorage

Pacific Northern Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $14,800/yr

Holy Rosary Academy (Anchorage)

Catholic · PK–8 · $9,600-$11,800/yr

Pasadena

San Jacinto Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $8,400-$10,200/yr

Blessed Sacrament School (Pasadena)

Catholic · K–8 · $7,800-$9,400/yr

Full Anchorage breakdown → Full Pasadena 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.