Is private school cheaper in Mesa or Tacoma?

Mesa has lower average private school tuition at $9,400/year vs $13,700/year in Tacoma. That's $4,300/year less, or $55,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Mesa is $4,300/year less than Tacoma. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $55,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,000/year in Mesa, $9,400/year in Tacoma.

How do Mesa and Tacoma 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). Tacoma averages $13,700/year ($1,350 above average).

Private School Cost: Mesa vs Tacoma

Mesa averages $4,300/year less for private school (46% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $55,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Mesa is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,400/year vs $13,700/year in Tacoma. Religious schools run $7,000/year on the low end.

Mesa

$9,400

avg tuition/year

$2,950 below national avg

Lower cost

Tacoma

$13,700

avg tuition/year

$1,350 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Mesa	Tacoma	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$9,400/yr	$13,700/yr	-$4,300
Religious Schools	$7,000/yr	$9,400/yr	-$2,400
Independent/Prep	$18,000/yr	$29,400/yr	-$11,400
Elementary (K-5)	$8,000/yr	$11,600/yr	-$3,600
Middle School (6-8)	$9,400/yr	$13,700/yr	-$4,300
High School (9-12)	$11,300/yr	$16,400/yr	-$5,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Mesa

$122,200

Tacoma

$178,100

Choosing Mesa saves $55,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $111,800.

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

Tacoma

Charles Wright Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $28,400/yr

Bellarmine Preparatory School

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,400/yr

Full Mesa breakdown → Full Tacoma breakdown →

Arizona private school costs Washington 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.