Is private school cheaper in Memphis or Surprise?

Surprise has lower average private school tuition at $9,500/year vs $10,800/year in Memphis. That's $1,300/year less, or $16,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Surprise is $1,300/year less than Memphis. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $16,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,200/year in Memphis, $7,100/year in Surprise.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Memphis averages $10,800/year ($1,550 below average). Surprise averages $9,500/year ($2,850 below average).

Private School Cost: Memphis vs Surprise

Surprise averages $1,300/year less for private school (14% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $16,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Surprise is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,500/year vs $10,800/year in Memphis. Religious schools run $7,100/year on the low end.

Memphis

$10,800

avg tuition/year

$1,550 below national avg

Surprise

$9,500

avg tuition/year

$2,850 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Memphis	Surprise	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$10,800/yr	$9,500/yr	+$1,300
Religious Schools	$7,200/yr	$7,100/yr	+$100
Independent/Prep	$20,500/yr	$18,100/yr	+$2,400
Elementary (K-5)	$8,800/yr	$8,100/yr	+$700
Middle School (6-8)	$10,800/yr	$9,500/yr	+$1,300
High School (9-12)	$13,400/yr	$11,400/yr	+$2,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Memphis

$140,400

Surprise

$123,500

Choosing Surprise saves $16,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $33,800.

Sample Schools

Memphis

Hutchison School

Independent · PK–12 · $20,800-$22,400/yr

Memphis University School

Independent · 7–12 · $18,400/yr

Christian Brothers High School (Memphis)

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,800/yr

St. Agnes Academy (Memphis)

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,200/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 Memphis breakdown → Full Surprise breakdown →

Tennessee 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.