Is private school cheaper in Fayetteville or Surprise?

Fayetteville has lower average private school tuition at $6,600/year vs $9,500/year in Surprise. That's $2,900/year less, or $37,700 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Fayetteville is $2,900/year less than Surprise. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $37,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,000/year in Fayetteville, $7,100/year in Surprise.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Fayetteville averages $6,600/year ($5,750 below average). Surprise averages $9,500/year ($2,850 below average).

Private School Cost: Fayetteville vs Surprise

Fayetteville averages $2,900/year less for private school (44% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $37,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Fayetteville is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,600/year vs $9,500/year in Surprise. Religious schools run $5,000/year on the low end.

Fayetteville

$6,600

avg tuition/year

$5,750 below national avg

Lower cost

Surprise

$9,500

avg tuition/year

$2,850 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Fayetteville	Surprise	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$6,600/yr	$9,500/yr	-$2,900
Religious Schools	$5,000/yr	$7,100/yr	-$2,100
Independent/Prep	$13,100/yr	$18,100/yr	-$5,000
Elementary (K-5)	$5,600/yr	$8,100/yr	-$2,500
Middle School (6-8)	$6,600/yr	$9,500/yr	-$2,900
High School (9-12)	$7,900/yr	$11,400/yr	-$3,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Fayetteville

$85,800

Surprise

$123,500

Choosing Fayetteville saves $37,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $75,400.

Sample Schools

Fayetteville

Fayetteville Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

Providence Academy (Fayetteville AR)

Christian · K–12 · $8,800-$10,800/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 Fayetteville breakdown → Full Surprise breakdown →

Arkansas 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.