Is private school cheaper in Bend or Tucson?

Tucson has lower average private school tuition at $10,800/year vs $13,100/year in Bend. That's $2,300/year less, or $29,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Tucson is $2,300/year less than Bend. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $29,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,900/year in Bend, $7,200/year in Tucson.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Bend averages $13,100/year ($750 above average). Tucson averages $10,800/year ($1,550 below average).

Private School Cost: Bend vs Tucson

Tucson averages $2,300/year less for private school (21% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $29,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Tucson is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,800/year vs $13,100/year in Bend. Religious schools run $7,200/year on the low end.

Bend

$13,100

avg tuition/year

$750 above national avg

Tucson

$10,800

avg tuition/year

$1,550 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Bend	Tucson	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$13,100/yr	$10,800/yr	+$2,300
Religious Schools	$8,900/yr	$7,200/yr	+$1,700
Independent/Prep	$26,500/yr	$20,500/yr	+$6,000
Elementary (K-5)	$11,100/yr	$8,800/yr	+$2,300
Middle School (6-8)	$13,100/yr	$10,800/yr	+$2,300
High School (9-12)	$15,700/yr	$13,400/yr	+$2,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Bend

$170,300

Tucson

$140,400

Choosing Tucson saves $29,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $59,800.

Sample Schools

Bend

Summit High School (Private Prep)

Independent · 9–12 · $12,800/yr

Cascade Christian High School (Bend)

Christian · 9–12 · $9,800-$12,200/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 Bend breakdown → Full Tucson breakdown →

Oregon 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.