Is private school cheaper in Athens or Surprise?

Surprise has lower average private school tuition at $9,500/year vs $10,100/year in Athens. That's $600/year less, or $7,800 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Surprise over Athens?

Average tuition in Surprise is $600/year less than Athens. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $7,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,000/year in Athens, $7,100/year in Surprise.

How do Athens and Surprise private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Athens averages $10,100/year ($2,250 below average). Surprise averages $9,500/year ($2,850 below average).

Private School Cost: Athens vs Surprise

Surprise averages $600/year less for private school (6% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $7,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Surprise is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,500/year vs $10,100/year in Athens. Religious schools run $7,000/year on the low end.

Athens

$10,100

avg tuition/year

$2,250 below national avg

Surprise

$9,500

avg tuition/year

$2,850 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Athens	Surprise	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$10,100/yr	$9,500/yr	+$600
Religious Schools	$7,000/yr	$7,100/yr	-$100
Independent/Prep	$20,500/yr	$18,100/yr	+$2,400
Elementary (K-5)	$8,600/yr	$8,100/yr	+$500
Middle School (6-8)	$10,100/yr	$9,500/yr	+$600
High School (9-12)	$12,100/yr	$11,400/yr	+$700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Athens

$131,300

Surprise

$123,500

Choosing Surprise saves $7,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $15,600.

Sample Schools

Athens

Athens Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $18,200/yr

Prince Avenue Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $9,800-$12,200/yr

Surprise

Surprise Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $8,600-$10,800/yr

Holy Cross School (Surprise AZ)

Catholic · K–8 · $7,800-$9,600/yr

Full Athens breakdown → Full Surprise breakdown →

Georgia 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.