Is private school cheaper in Colorado Springs or Surprise?

Surprise has lower average private school tuition at $9,500/year vs $13,100/year in Colorado Springs. That's $3,600/year less, or $46,800 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Surprise over Colorado Springs?

Average tuition in Surprise is $3,600/year less than Colorado Springs. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $46,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,500/year in Colorado Springs, $7,100/year in Surprise.

How do Colorado Springs and Surprise private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Colorado Springs averages $13,100/year ($750 above average). Surprise averages $9,500/year ($2,850 below average).

Private School Cost: Colorado Springs vs Surprise

Surprise averages $3,600/year less for private school (38% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $46,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Surprise is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,500/year vs $13,100/year in Colorado Springs. Religious schools run $7,100/year on the low end.

Colorado Springs

$13,100

avg tuition/year

$750 above national avg

Surprise

$9,500

avg tuition/year

$2,850 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Colorado Springs	Surprise	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$13,100/yr	$9,500/yr	+$3,600
Religious Schools	$8,500/yr	$7,100/yr	+$1,400
Independent/Prep	$25,700/yr	$18,100/yr	+$7,600
Elementary (K-5)	$11,100/yr	$8,100/yr	+$3,000
Middle School (6-8)	$13,100/yr	$9,500/yr	+$3,600
High School (9-12)	$15,700/yr	$11,400/yr	+$4,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Colorado Springs

$170,300

Surprise

$123,500

Choosing Surprise saves $46,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $93,600.

Sample Schools

Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $11,200-$14,400/yr

Cheyenne Mountain School District 12 (Private Prep)

Independent · K–12 · $12,800/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 Colorado Springs breakdown → Full Surprise breakdown →

Colorado 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.