PrivateSchoolCost

Private School Cost: Centennial vs Phoenix

Phoenix averages $300/year less for private school (2% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $3,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Phoenix is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,400/year vs $13,700/year in Centennial. Religious schools run $8,600/year on the low end.

Centennial

CO

$13,700

avg tuition/year

$1,350 above national avg

Phoenix

AZ

$13,400

avg tuition/year

$1,050 above national avg
Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category Centennial Phoenix Difference
All Schools (Average) $13,700/yr $13,400/yr +$300
Religious Schools $8,900/yr $8,600/yr +$300
Independent/Prep $27,000/yr $24,500/yr +$2,500
Elementary (K-5) $11,600/yr $11,000/yr +$600
Middle School (6-8) $13,700/yr $13,400/yr +$300
High School (9-12) $16,400/yr $16,500/yr -$100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Centennial

$178,100

Phoenix

$174,200

Choosing Phoenix saves $3,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $7,800.

Sample Schools

Centennial

Arapahoe Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $10,400-$12,800/yr

Cherry Creek Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $9,800-$12,200/yr

Phoenix

Brophy College Preparatory

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,800/yr

Xavier College Preparatory

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,400/yr

Scottsdale Preparatory Academy

Independent · 6–12 · $12,800-$14,200/yr

Notre Dame Preparatory High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,200/yr

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.