Is private school cheaper in Little Rock or Tucson?

Little Rock has lower average private school tuition at $6,600/year vs $10,800/year in Tucson. That's $4,200/year less, or $54,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Little Rock is $4,200/year less than Tucson. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $54,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,000/year in Little Rock, $7,200/year in Tucson.

How do Little Rock and Tucson 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). Tucson averages $10,800/year ($1,550 below average).

Private School Cost: Little Rock vs Tucson

Little Rock averages $4,200/year less for private school (64% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $54,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Little Rock is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,600/year vs $10,800/year in Tucson. Religious schools run $5,000/year on the low end.

Little Rock

$6,600

avg tuition/year

$5,750 below national avg

Lower cost

Tucson

$10,800

avg tuition/year

$1,550 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Little Rock	Tucson	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$6,600/yr	$10,800/yr	-$4,200
Religious Schools	$5,000/yr	$7,200/yr	-$2,200
Independent/Prep	$13,100/yr	$20,500/yr	-$7,400
Elementary (K-5)	$5,600/yr	$8,800/yr	-$3,200
Middle School (6-8)	$6,600/yr	$10,800/yr	-$4,200
High School (9-12)	$7,900/yr	$13,400/yr	-$5,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Little Rock

$85,800

Tucson

$140,400

Choosing Little Rock saves $54,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $109,200.

Sample Schools

Little Rock

Pulaski Academy (Little Rock)

Independent · PK–12 · $11,800/yr

Mount St. Mary Academy

Catholic · 9–12 · $11,200/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 Little Rock breakdown → Full Tucson breakdown →

Arkansas 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.