Is private school cheaper in Lowell or Phoenix?

Phoenix has lower average private school tuition at $13,400/year vs $23,600/year in Lowell. That's $10,200/year less, or $132,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Phoenix is $10,200/year less than Lowell. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $132,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $12,800/year in Lowell, $8,600/year in Phoenix.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Lowell averages $23,600/year ($11,250 above average). Phoenix averages $13,400/year ($1,050 above average).

Private School Cost: Lowell vs Phoenix

Phoenix averages $10,200/year less for private school (76% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $132,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Phoenix is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,400/year vs $23,600/year in Lowell. Religious schools run $8,600/year on the low end.

Lowell

$23,600

avg tuition/year

$11,250 above national avg

Phoenix

$13,400

avg tuition/year

$1,050 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Lowell	Phoenix	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$23,600/yr	$13,400/yr	+$10,200
Religious Schools	$12,800/yr	$8,600/yr	+$4,200
Independent/Prep	$48,100/yr	$24,500/yr	+$23,600
Elementary (K-5)	$20,100/yr	$11,000/yr	+$9,100
Middle School (6-8)	$23,600/yr	$13,400/yr	+$10,200
High School (9-12)	$28,300/yr	$16,500/yr	+$11,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Lowell

$306,800

Phoenix

$174,200

Choosing Phoenix saves $132,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $265,200.

Sample Schools

Lowell

Lowell Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

St. Michael Academy (Lowell)

Catholic · K–8 · $10,800-$12,800/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 Lowell breakdown → Full Phoenix breakdown →

Massachusetts 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.