Is private school cheaper in Gainesville or Phoenix?

Gainesville has lower average private school tuition at $9,900/year vs $13,400/year in Phoenix. That's $3,500/year less, or $45,500 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Gainesville over Phoenix?

Average tuition in Gainesville is $3,500/year less than Phoenix. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $45,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,800/year in Gainesville, $8,600/year in Phoenix.

How do Gainesville and Phoenix private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Gainesville averages $9,900/year ($2,450 below average). Phoenix averages $13,400/year ($1,050 above average).

Private School Cost: Gainesville vs Phoenix

Gainesville averages $3,500/year less for private school (35% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $45,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Gainesville is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,900/year vs $13,400/year in Phoenix. Religious schools run $6,800/year on the low end.

Gainesville

$9,900

avg tuition/year

$2,450 below national avg

Lower cost

Phoenix

$13,400

avg tuition/year

$1,050 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Gainesville	Phoenix	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$9,900/yr	$13,400/yr	-$3,500
Religious Schools	$6,800/yr	$8,600/yr	-$1,800
Independent/Prep	$20,400/yr	$24,500/yr	-$4,100
Elementary (K-5)	$8,400/yr	$11,000/yr	-$2,600
Middle School (6-8)	$9,900/yr	$13,400/yr	-$3,500
High School (9-12)	$11,900/yr	$16,500/yr	-$4,600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Gainesville

$128,700

Phoenix

$174,200

Choosing Gainesville saves $45,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $91,000.

Sample Schools

Gainesville

Buchholz High School (Private Prep)

Independent · 9–12 · $12,800/yr

Gainesville Christian Academy

Christian · PK–12 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

Phoenix

Brophy College Preparatory

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,800/yr

Xavier College Preparatory

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,400/yr

Scottsdale Preparatory Academy

Independent · 6–12 · $12,800-$14,200/yr

Notre Dame Preparatory High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,200/yr

Full Gainesville breakdown → Full Phoenix breakdown →

Florida private school costs Arizona private school costs

Related Comparisons

Denver vs Phoenix → San Francisco vs Phoenix → Boston vs Phoenix → Los Angeles vs Phoenix →

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.