Is private school cheaper in Frederick or Tucson?

Tucson has lower average private school tuition at $10,800/year vs $16,700/year in Frederick. That's $5,900/year less, or $76,700 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Tucson over Frederick?

Average tuition in Tucson is $5,900/year less than Frederick. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $76,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $11,300/year in Frederick, $7,200/year in Tucson.

How do Frederick and Tucson private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Frederick averages $16,700/year ($4,350 above average). Tucson averages $10,800/year ($1,550 below average).

Private School Cost: Frederick vs Tucson

Tucson averages $5,900/year less for private school (55% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $76,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Tucson is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,800/year vs $16,700/year in Frederick. Religious schools run $7,200/year on the low end.

Frederick

$16,700

avg tuition/year

$4,350 above national avg

Tucson

$10,800

avg tuition/year

$1,550 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Frederick	Tucson	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$16,700/yr	$10,800/yr	+$5,900
Religious Schools	$11,300/yr	$7,200/yr	+$4,100
Independent/Prep	$35,100/yr	$20,500/yr	+$14,600
Elementary (K-5)	$14,200/yr	$8,800/yr	+$5,400
Middle School (6-8)	$16,700/yr	$10,800/yr	+$5,900
High School (9-12)	$20,000/yr	$13,400/yr	+$6,600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Frederick

$217,100

Tucson

$140,400

Choosing Tucson saves $76,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $153,400.

Sample Schools

Frederick

Frederick Classical Charter School (Private Prep)

Independent · K–12 · $11,200/yr

Visitation Academy (Frederick MD)

Catholic · PK–8 · $12,400/yr

Tucson

Basis Tucson North

Charter (Free) · 5–12

Salpointe Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

Pusch Ridge Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $10,200-$11,800/yr

Tanque Verde School

Public District · K–12

Full Frederick breakdown → Full Tucson breakdown →

Maryland 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.