Is private school cheaper in Little Rock or Palmdale?

Little Rock has lower average private school tuition at $6,600/year vs $14,900/year in Palmdale. That's $8,300/year less, or $107,900 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Little Rock over Palmdale?

Average tuition in Little Rock is $8,300/year less than Palmdale. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $107,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,000/year in Little Rock, $9,700/year in Palmdale.

How do Little Rock and Palmdale private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Little Rock averages $6,600/year ($5,750 below average). Palmdale averages $14,900/year ($2,550 above average).

Private School Cost: Little Rock vs Palmdale

Little Rock averages $8,300/year less for private school (126% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $107,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Little Rock is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,600/year vs $14,900/year in Palmdale. Religious schools run $5,000/year on the low end.

Little Rock

$6,600

avg tuition/year

$5,750 below national avg

Lower cost

Palmdale

$14,900

avg tuition/year

$2,550 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Little Rock	Palmdale	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$6,600/yr	$14,900/yr	-$8,300
Religious Schools	$5,000/yr	$9,700/yr	-$4,700
Independent/Prep	$13,100/yr	$29,000/yr	-$15,900
Elementary (K-5)	$5,600/yr	$12,700/yr	-$7,100
Middle School (6-8)	$6,600/yr	$14,900/yr	-$8,300
High School (9-12)	$7,900/yr	$17,900/yr	-$10,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Little Rock

$85,800

Palmdale

$193,700

Choosing Little Rock saves $107,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $215,800.

Sample Schools

Little Rock

Pulaski Academy (Little Rock)

Independent · PK–12 · $11,800/yr

Mount St. Mary Academy

Catholic · 9–12 · $11,200/yr

Palmdale

Palmdale Aerospace Academy (Private)

Independent · K–12 · $10,200/yr

St. Mary School (Palmdale)

Catholic · K–8 · $8,200-$9,800/yr

Full Little Rock breakdown → Full Palmdale breakdown →

Arkansas private school costs California 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.