Is private school cheaper in College Station or Surprise?

Surprise has lower average private school tuition at $9,500/year vs $10,300/year in College Station. That's $800/year less, or $10,400 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Surprise over College Station?

Average tuition in Surprise is $800/year less than College Station. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $10,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,000/year in College Station, $7,100/year in Surprise.

How do College Station and Surprise private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. College Station averages $10,300/year ($2,050 below average). Surprise averages $9,500/year ($2,850 below average).

Private School Cost: College Station vs Surprise

Surprise averages $800/year less for private school (8% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $10,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Surprise is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,500/year vs $10,300/year in College Station. Religious schools run $7,000/year on the low end.

College Station

$10,300

avg tuition/year

$2,050 below national avg

Surprise

$9,500

avg tuition/year

$2,850 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	College Station	Surprise	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$10,300/yr	$9,500/yr	+$800
Religious Schools	$7,000/yr	$7,100/yr	-$100
Independent/Prep	$21,800/yr	$18,100/yr	+$3,700
Elementary (K-5)	$8,800/yr	$8,100/yr	+$700
Middle School (6-8)	$10,300/yr	$9,500/yr	+$800
High School (9-12)	$12,400/yr	$11,400/yr	+$1,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

College Station

$133,900

Surprise

$123,500

Choosing Surprise saves $10,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $20,800.

Sample Schools

College Station

College Station Christian Academy

Christian · PK–12 · $9,400-$11,400/yr

Brazos Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $8,800-$10,600/yr

Surprise

Surprise Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $8,600-$10,800/yr

Holy Cross School (Surprise AZ)

Catholic · K–8 · $7,800-$9,600/yr

Full College Station breakdown → Full Surprise breakdown →

Texas 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.