Is private school cheaper in Cedar Rapids or Tucson?

Cedar Rapids has lower average private school tuition at $6,800/year vs $10,800/year in Tucson. That's $4,000/year less, or $52,000 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Cedar Rapids is $4,000/year less than Tucson. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $52,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $4,800/year in Cedar Rapids, $7,200/year in Tucson.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Cedar Rapids averages $6,800/year ($5,550 below average). Tucson averages $10,800/year ($1,550 below average).

Private School Cost: Cedar Rapids vs Tucson

Cedar Rapids averages $4,000/year less for private school (59% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $52,000 per child.

Bottom Line

Cedar Rapids is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,800/year vs $10,800/year in Tucson. Religious schools run $4,800/year on the low end.

Cedar Rapids

$6,800

avg tuition/year

$5,550 below national avg

Lower cost

Tucson

$10,800

avg tuition/year

$1,550 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Cedar Rapids	Tucson	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$6,800/yr	$10,800/yr	-$4,000
Religious Schools	$4,800/yr	$7,200/yr	-$2,400
Independent/Prep	$14,300/yr	$20,500/yr	-$6,200
Elementary (K-5)	$5,800/yr	$8,800/yr	-$3,000
Middle School (6-8)	$6,800/yr	$10,800/yr	-$4,000
High School (9-12)	$8,200/yr	$13,400/yr	-$5,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Cedar Rapids

$88,400

Tucson

$140,400

Choosing Cedar Rapids saves $52,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $104,000.

Sample Schools

Cedar Rapids

Xavier High School (Cedar Rapids)

Catholic · 9–12 · $9,400/yr

Cedar Rapids Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $8,400-$10,400/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 Cedar Rapids breakdown → Full Tucson breakdown →

Iowa 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.