Is private school cheaper in Anchorage or Phoenix?

Anchorage has lower average private school tuition at $11,900/year vs $13,400/year in Phoenix. That's $1,500/year less, or $19,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Anchorage is $1,500/year less than Phoenix. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $19,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,900/year in Anchorage, $8,600/year in Phoenix.

How do Anchorage and Phoenix 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). Phoenix averages $13,400/year ($1,050 above average).

Private School Cost: Anchorage vs Phoenix

Anchorage averages $1,500/year less for private school (13% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $19,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Anchorage is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,900/year vs $13,400/year in Phoenix. Religious schools run $7,900/year on the low end.

Anchorage

$11,900

avg tuition/year

$450 below national avg

Lower cost

Phoenix

$13,400

avg tuition/year

$1,050 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Anchorage	Phoenix	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,900/yr	$13,400/yr	-$1,500
Religious Schools	$7,900/yr	$8,600/yr	-$700
Independent/Prep	$21,500/yr	$24,500/yr	-$3,000
Elementary (K-5)	$10,100/yr	$11,000/yr	-$900
Middle School (6-8)	$11,900/yr	$13,400/yr	-$1,500
High School (9-12)	$14,300/yr	$16,500/yr	-$2,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Anchorage

$154,700

Phoenix

$174,200

Choosing Anchorage saves $19,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $39,000.

Sample Schools

Anchorage

Pacific Northern Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $14,800/yr

Holy Rosary Academy (Anchorage)

Catholic · PK–8 · $9,600-$11,800/yr

Phoenix

Brophy College Preparatory

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,800/yr

Xavier College Preparatory

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,400/yr

Scottsdale Preparatory Academy

Independent · 6–12 · $12,800-$14,200/yr

Notre Dame Preparatory High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,200/yr

Full Anchorage breakdown → Full Phoenix breakdown →

Alaska private school costs Arizona private school costs

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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.