Is private school cheaper in Anchorage or Tucson?

Tucson has lower average private school tuition at $10,800/year vs $11,900/year in Anchorage. That's $1,100/year less, or $14,300 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Tucson is $1,100/year less than Anchorage. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $14,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,900/year in Anchorage, $7,200/year in Tucson.

How do Anchorage and Tucson 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). Tucson averages $10,800/year ($1,550 below average).

Private School Cost: Anchorage vs Tucson

Tucson averages $1,100/year less for private school (10% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $14,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Tucson is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,800/year vs $11,900/year in Anchorage. Religious schools run $7,200/year on the low end.

Anchorage

$11,900

avg tuition/year

$450 below national avg

Tucson

$10,800

avg tuition/year

$1,550 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Anchorage	Tucson	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,900/yr	$10,800/yr	+$1,100
Religious Schools	$7,900/yr	$7,200/yr	+$700
Independent/Prep	$21,500/yr	$20,500/yr	+$1,000
Elementary (K-5)	$10,100/yr	$8,800/yr	+$1,300
Middle School (6-8)	$11,900/yr	$10,800/yr	+$1,100
High School (9-12)	$14,300/yr	$13,400/yr	+$900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Anchorage

$154,700

Tucson

$140,400

Choosing Tucson saves $14,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $28,600.

Sample Schools

Anchorage

Pacific Northern Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $14,800/yr

Holy Rosary Academy (Anchorage)

Catholic · PK–8 · $9,600-$11,800/yr

Tucson

Basis Tucson North

Charter (Free) · 5–12

Salpointe Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

Pusch Ridge Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $10,200-$11,800/yr

Tanque Verde School

Public District · K–12

Full Anchorage breakdown → Full Tucson breakdown →

Alaska private school costs Arizona private school costs

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.