Private School Cost: Mesa vs New Orleans
Mesa averages $2,400/year less for private school (26% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $31,200 per child.
Bottom Line
Mesa is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,400/year vs $11,800/year in New Orleans. Religious schools run $7,000/year on the low end.
Mesa
AZ
$9,400
avg tuition/year
New Orleans
LA
$11,800
avg tuition/year
Tuition by School Type & Grade
| Category | Mesa | New Orleans | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Schools (Average) | $9,400/yr | $11,800/yr | -$2,400 |
| Religious Schools | $7,000/yr | $7,600/yr | -$600 |
| Independent/Prep | $18,000/yr | $22,000/yr | -$4,000 |
| Elementary (K-5) | $8,000/yr | $9,600/yr | -$1,600 |
| Middle School (6-8) | $9,400/yr | $11,800/yr | -$2,400 |
| High School (9-12) | $11,300/yr | $14,600/yr | -$3,300 |
K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)
Mesa
$122,200
New Orleans
$153,400
Choosing Mesa saves $31,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $62,400.
Sample Schools
Mesa
Gilbert Christian Schools
Christian · K–12 · $9,800-$12,400/yr
Mesa Christian School
Christian · K–12 · $8,600-$10,800/yr
New Orleans
Tulane-affiliated University Schools
Independent · PK–12 · $21,400-$23,800/yr
Jesuit High School New Orleans
Catholic · 9–12 · $15,400/yr
Ursuline Academy (New Orleans)
Catholic · 6–12 · $13,200/yr
Brother Martin High School
Catholic · 9–12 · $12,800/yr
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.