Is private school cheaper in Bellevue or Tucson?

Tucson has lower average private school tuition at $10,800/year vs $18,600/year in Bellevue. That's $7,800/year less, or $101,400 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Tucson is $7,800/year less than Bellevue. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $101,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $12,700/year in Bellevue, $7,200/year in Tucson.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Bellevue averages $18,600/year ($6,250 above average). Tucson averages $10,800/year ($1,550 below average).

Private School Cost: Bellevue vs Tucson

Tucson averages $7,800/year less for private school (72% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $101,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Tucson is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,800/year vs $18,600/year in Bellevue. Religious schools run $7,200/year on the low end.

Bellevue

$18,600

avg tuition/year

$6,250 above national avg

Tucson

$10,800

avg tuition/year

$1,550 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Bellevue	Tucson	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,600/yr	$10,800/yr	+$7,800
Religious Schools	$12,700/yr	$7,200/yr	+$5,500
Independent/Prep	$39,700/yr	$20,500/yr	+$19,200
Elementary (K-5)	$15,800/yr	$8,800/yr	+$7,000
Middle School (6-8)	$18,600/yr	$10,800/yr	+$7,800
High School (9-12)	$22,300/yr	$13,400/yr	+$8,900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Bellevue

$241,800

Tucson

$140,400

Choosing Tucson saves $101,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $202,800.

Sample Schools

Bellevue

The Overlake School

Independent · 5–12 · $37,800/yr

Bellevue Christian School

Christian · PK–12 · $14,200/yr

Bellarmine Preparatory School (Tacoma)

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,400/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 Bellevue breakdown → Full Tucson breakdown →

Washington 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.