Is private school cheaper in Minneapolis or Phoenix?

Phoenix has lower average private school tuition at $13,400/year vs $15,000/year in Minneapolis. That's $1,600/year less, or $20,800 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Phoenix over Minneapolis?

Average tuition in Phoenix is $1,600/year less than Minneapolis. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $20,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,200/year in Minneapolis, $8,600/year in Phoenix.

How do Minneapolis and Phoenix private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Minneapolis averages $15,000/year ($2,650 above average). Phoenix averages $13,400/year ($1,050 above average).

Private School Cost: Minneapolis vs Phoenix

Phoenix averages $1,600/year less for private school (12% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $20,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Phoenix is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,400/year vs $15,000/year in Minneapolis. Religious schools run $8,600/year on the low end.

Minneapolis

$15,000

avg tuition/year

$2,650 above national avg

Phoenix

$13,400

avg tuition/year

$1,050 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Minneapolis	Phoenix	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$15,000/yr	$13,400/yr	+$1,600
Religious Schools	$9,200/yr	$8,600/yr	+$600
Independent/Prep	$27,500/yr	$24,500/yr	+$3,000
Elementary (K-5)	$12,200/yr	$11,000/yr	+$1,200
Middle School (6-8)	$15,000/yr	$13,400/yr	+$1,600
High School (9-12)	$18,500/yr	$16,500/yr	+$2,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Minneapolis

$195,000

Phoenix

$174,200

Choosing Phoenix saves $20,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $41,600.

Sample Schools

Minneapolis

Blake School

Independent · PK–12 · $34,800-$37,200/yr

Breck School

Independent · PK–12 · $28,400/yr

Minnehaha Academy

Christian · PK–12 · $16,200-$17,800/yr

De La Salle High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $15,800/yr

Phoenix

Brophy College Preparatory

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,800/yr

Xavier College Preparatory

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,400/yr

Scottsdale Preparatory Academy

Independent · 6–12 · $12,800-$14,200/yr

Notre Dame Preparatory High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,200/yr

Full Minneapolis breakdown → Full Phoenix breakdown →

Minnesota private school costs Arizona private school costs

Related Comparisons

Denver vs Phoenix → San Francisco vs Phoenix → Boston vs Phoenix → Minneapolis vs Columbus →

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.