Is private school cheaper in Mesa or Rochester?

Mesa has lower average private school tuition at $9,400/year vs $18,100/year in Rochester. That's $8,700/year less, or $113,100 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Mesa over Rochester?

Average tuition in Mesa is $8,700/year less than Rochester. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $113,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,000/year in Mesa, $10,400/year in Rochester.

How do Mesa and Rochester private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Mesa averages $9,400/year ($2,950 below average). Rochester averages $18,100/year ($5,750 above average).

Private School Cost: Mesa vs Rochester

Mesa averages $8,700/year less for private school (93% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $113,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Mesa is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,400/year vs $18,100/year in Rochester. Religious schools run $7,000/year on the low end.

Mesa

$9,400

avg tuition/year

$2,950 below national avg

Lower cost

Rochester

$18,100

avg tuition/year

$5,750 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Mesa	Rochester	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$9,400/yr	$18,100/yr	-$8,700
Religious Schools	$7,000/yr	$10,400/yr	-$3,400
Independent/Prep	$18,000/yr	$38,500/yr	-$20,500
Elementary (K-5)	$8,000/yr	$15,400/yr	-$7,400
Middle School (6-8)	$9,400/yr	$18,100/yr	-$8,700
High School (9-12)	$11,300/yr	$21,700/yr	-$10,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Mesa

$122,200

Rochester

$235,300

Choosing Mesa saves $113,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $226,200.

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

Rochester

McQuaid Jesuit High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,800/yr

Allendale Columbia School

Independent · PK–12 · $22,400/yr

Full Mesa breakdown → Full Rochester breakdown →

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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.