Private School Cost: Jacksonville vs Surprise
Surprise averages $2,000/year less for private school (21% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $26,000 per child.
Bottom Line
Surprise is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,500/year vs $11,500/year in Jacksonville. Religious schools run $7,100/year on the low end.
Jacksonville
FL
$11,500
avg tuition/year
Surprise
AZ
$9,500
avg tuition/year
Tuition by School Type & Grade
| Category | Jacksonville | Surprise | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Schools (Average) | $11,500/yr | $9,500/yr | +$2,000 |
| Religious Schools | $7,600/yr | $7,100/yr | +$500 |
| Independent/Prep | $21,500/yr | $18,100/yr | +$3,400 |
| Elementary (K-5) | $9,400/yr | $8,100/yr | +$1,300 |
| Middle School (6-8) | $11,500/yr | $9,500/yr | +$2,000 |
| High School (9-12) | $14,200/yr | $11,400/yr | +$2,800 |
K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)
Jacksonville
$149,500
Surprise
$123,500
Choosing Surprise saves $26,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $52,000.
Sample Schools
Jacksonville
Bolles School
Independent · PK–12 · $24,400-$26,800/yr
Episcopal School of Jacksonville
Independent · PK–12 · $21,800-$23,400/yr
Bishop Kenny High School
Catholic · 9–12 · $14,400/yr
Ponte Vedra High School (Public)
Public (Reference) · 9–12
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
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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.