Is private school cheaper in Dayton or Mesa?

Dayton has lower average private school tuition at $8,100/year vs $9,400/year in Mesa. That's $1,300/year less, or $16,900 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Dayton over Mesa?

Average tuition in Dayton is $1,300/year less than Mesa. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $16,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,700/year in Dayton, $7,000/year in Mesa.

How do Dayton and Mesa private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Dayton averages $8,100/year ($4,250 below average). Mesa averages $9,400/year ($2,950 below average).

Private School Cost: Dayton vs Mesa

Dayton averages $1,300/year less for private school (16% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $16,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Dayton is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,100/year vs $9,400/year in Mesa. Religious schools run $5,700/year on the low end.

Dayton

$8,100

avg tuition/year

$4,250 below national avg

Lower cost

Mesa

$9,400

avg tuition/year

$2,950 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Dayton	Mesa	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$8,100/yr	$9,400/yr	-$1,300
Religious Schools	$5,700/yr	$7,000/yr	-$1,300
Independent/Prep	$18,700/yr	$18,000/yr	+$700
Elementary (K-5)	$6,900/yr	$8,000/yr	-$1,100
Middle School (6-8)	$8,100/yr	$9,400/yr	-$1,300
High School (9-12)	$9,700/yr	$11,300/yr	-$1,600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Dayton

$105,300

Mesa

$122,200

Choosing Dayton saves $16,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $33,800.

Sample Schools

Dayton

Chaminade Julienne Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $11,400/yr

Dayton Christian Schools

Christian · K–12 · $9,600-$12,000/yr

Mesa

Gilbert Christian Schools

Christian · K–12 · $9,800-$12,400/yr

Mesa Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $8,600-$10,800/yr

Full Dayton breakdown → Full Mesa breakdown →

Ohio 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.