Is private school cheaper in Austin or Tucson?

Tucson has lower average private school tuition at $10,800/year vs $15,500/year in Austin. That's $4,700/year less, or $61,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Tucson is $4,700/year less than Austin. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $61,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,400/year in Austin, $7,200/year in Tucson.

How do Austin and Tucson private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Austin averages $15,500/year ($3,150 above average). Tucson averages $10,800/year ($1,550 below average).

Private School Cost: Austin vs Tucson

Tucson averages $4,700/year less for private school (44% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $61,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Tucson is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,800/year vs $15,500/year in Austin. Religious schools run $7,200/year on the low end.

Austin

$15,500

avg tuition/year

$3,150 above national avg

Tucson

$10,800

avg tuition/year

$1,550 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Austin	Tucson	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$15,500/yr	$10,800/yr	+$4,700
Religious Schools	$9,400/yr	$7,200/yr	+$2,200
Independent/Prep	$28,200/yr	$20,500/yr	+$7,700
Elementary (K-5)	$12,800/yr	$8,800/yr	+$4,000
Middle School (6-8)	$15,500/yr	$10,800/yr	+$4,700
High School (9-12)	$19,200/yr	$13,400/yr	+$5,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Austin

$201,500

Tucson

$140,400

Choosing Tucson saves $61,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $122,200.

Sample Schools

Austin

St. Andrew's Episcopal School (Austin)

Independent · PK–12 · $32,800-$35,400/yr

Austin Preparatory School

Catholic · 6–12 · $14,200/yr

St. Michael's Catholic Academy

Catholic · 9–12 · $15,800/yr

Hyde Park Baptist School

Christian · PK–12 · $13,400-$15,200/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 Austin breakdown → Full Tucson breakdown →

Texas private school costs Arizona private school costs

Related Comparisons

Houston vs Austin → Dallas vs Austin → Austin vs San Antonio → Austin vs Raleigh →

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.