Is private school cheaper in Glendale or Surprise?

Glendale has lower average private school tuition at $9,400/year vs $9,500/year in Surprise. That's $100/year less, or $1,300 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Glendale is $100/year less than Surprise. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $1,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,000/year in Glendale, $7,100/year in Surprise.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Glendale averages $9,400/year ($2,950 below average). Surprise averages $9,500/year ($2,850 below average).

Private School Cost: Glendale vs Surprise

Glendale averages $100/year less for private school (1% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $1,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Glendale is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,400/year vs $9,500/year in Surprise. Religious schools run $7,000/year on the low end.

Glendale

$9,400

avg tuition/year

$2,950 below national avg

Lower cost

Surprise

$9,500

avg tuition/year

$2,850 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Glendale	Surprise	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$9,400/yr	$9,500/yr	-$100
Religious Schools	$7,000/yr	$7,100/yr	-$100
Independent/Prep	$18,000/yr	$18,100/yr	-$100
Elementary (K-5)	$8,000/yr	$8,100/yr	-$100
Middle School (6-8)	$9,400/yr	$9,500/yr	-$100
High School (9-12)	$11,300/yr	$11,400/yr	-$100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Glendale

$122,200

Surprise

$123,500

Choosing Glendale saves $1,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $2,600.

Sample Schools

Glendale

American Leadership Academy

Independent · K–12 · $7,200-$9,400/yr

Glendale Christian School

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 Glendale breakdown → Full Surprise breakdown →

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.