Is private school cheaper in Anchorage or Sunnyvale?

Anchorage has lower average private school tuition at $11,900/year vs $21,600/year in Sunnyvale. That's $9,700/year less, or $126,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Anchorage is $9,700/year less than Sunnyvale. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $126,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,900/year in Anchorage, $14,100/year in Sunnyvale.

How do Anchorage and Sunnyvale 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). Sunnyvale averages $21,600/year ($9,250 above average).

Private School Cost: Anchorage vs Sunnyvale

Anchorage averages $9,700/year less for private school (82% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $126,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Anchorage is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,900/year vs $21,600/year in Sunnyvale. Religious schools run $7,900/year on the low end.

Anchorage

$11,900

avg tuition/year

$450 below national avg

Lower cost

Sunnyvale

$21,600

avg tuition/year

$9,250 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Anchorage	Sunnyvale	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,900/yr	$21,600/yr	-$9,700
Religious Schools	$7,900/yr	$14,100/yr	-$6,200
Independent/Prep	$21,500/yr	$42,100/yr	-$20,600
Elementary (K-5)	$10,100/yr	$18,400/yr	-$8,300
Middle School (6-8)	$11,900/yr	$21,600/yr	-$9,700
High School (9-12)	$14,300/yr	$25,900/yr	-$11,600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Anchorage

$154,700

Sunnyvale

$280,800

Choosing Anchorage saves $126,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $252,200.

Sample Schools

Anchorage

Pacific Northern Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $14,800/yr

Holy Rosary Academy (Anchorage)

Catholic · PK–8 · $9,600-$11,800/yr

Sunnyvale

Archbishop Mitty High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $26,800/yr

Stratford School (Sunnyvale)

Independent · PK–8 · $24,200-$27,600/yr

Full Anchorage breakdown → Full Sunnyvale 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.