Is private school cheaper in Mesa or Sunnyvale?

Mesa has lower average private school tuition at $9,400/year vs $21,600/year in Sunnyvale. That's $12,200/year less, or $158,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Mesa is $12,200/year less than Sunnyvale. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $158,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,000/year in Mesa, $14,100/year in Sunnyvale.

How do Mesa and Sunnyvale 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). Sunnyvale averages $21,600/year ($9,250 above average).

Private School Cost: Mesa vs Sunnyvale

Mesa averages $12,200/year less for private school (130% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $158,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Mesa is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,400/year vs $21,600/year in Sunnyvale. Religious schools run $7,000/year on the low end.

Mesa

$9,400

avg tuition/year

$2,950 below national avg

Lower cost

Sunnyvale

$21,600

avg tuition/year

$9,250 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Mesa	Sunnyvale	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$9,400/yr	$21,600/yr	-$12,200
Religious Schools	$7,000/yr	$14,100/yr	-$7,100
Independent/Prep	$18,000/yr	$42,100/yr	-$24,100
Elementary (K-5)	$8,000/yr	$18,400/yr	-$10,400
Middle School (6-8)	$9,400/yr	$21,600/yr	-$12,200
High School (9-12)	$11,300/yr	$25,900/yr	-$14,600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Mesa

$122,200

Sunnyvale

$280,800

Choosing Mesa saves $158,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $317,200.

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

Sunnyvale

Archbishop Mitty High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $26,800/yr

Stratford School (Sunnyvale)

Independent · PK–8 · $24,200-$27,600/yr

Full Mesa breakdown → Full Sunnyvale 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.