Is private school cheaper in Minneapolis or Tucson?

Tucson has lower average private school tuition at $10,800/year vs $15,000/year in Minneapolis. That's $4,200/year less, or $54,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Tucson is $4,200/year less than Minneapolis. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $54,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,200/year in Minneapolis, $7,200/year in Tucson.

How do Minneapolis and Tucson 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). Tucson averages $10,800/year ($1,550 below average).

Private School Cost: Minneapolis vs Tucson

Tucson averages $4,200/year less for private school (39% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $54,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Tucson is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,800/year vs $15,000/year in Minneapolis. Religious schools run $7,200/year on the low end.

Minneapolis

$15,000

avg tuition/year

$2,650 above national avg

Tucson

$10,800

avg tuition/year

$1,550 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Minneapolis	Tucson	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$15,000/yr	$10,800/yr	+$4,200
Religious Schools	$9,200/yr	$7,200/yr	+$2,000
Independent/Prep	$27,500/yr	$20,500/yr	+$7,000
Elementary (K-5)	$12,200/yr	$8,800/yr	+$3,400
Middle School (6-8)	$15,000/yr	$10,800/yr	+$4,200
High School (9-12)	$18,500/yr	$13,400/yr	+$5,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Minneapolis

$195,000

Tucson

$140,400

Choosing Tucson saves $54,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $109,200.

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

Tucson

Basis Tucson North

Charter (Free) · 5–12

Salpointe Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

Pusch Ridge Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $10,200-$11,800/yr

Tanque Verde School

Public District · K–12

Full Minneapolis breakdown → Full Tucson breakdown →

Minnesota private school costs Arizona private school costs

Related Comparisons

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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.