Is private school cheaper in Omaha or Surprise?

Omaha has lower average private school tuition at $7,300/year vs $9,500/year in Surprise. That's $2,200/year less, or $28,600 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Omaha over Surprise?

Average tuition in Omaha is $2,200/year less than Surprise. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $28,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,100/year in Omaha, $7,100/year in Surprise.

How do Omaha and Surprise private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Omaha averages $7,300/year ($5,050 below average). Surprise averages $9,500/year ($2,850 below average).

Private School Cost: Omaha vs Surprise

Omaha averages $2,200/year less for private school (30% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $28,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Omaha is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,300/year vs $9,500/year in Surprise. Religious schools run $5,100/year on the low end.

Omaha

$7,300

avg tuition/year

$5,050 below national avg

Lower cost

Surprise

$9,500

avg tuition/year

$2,850 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Omaha	Surprise	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$7,300/yr	$9,500/yr	-$2,200
Religious Schools	$5,100/yr	$7,100/yr	-$2,000
Independent/Prep	$15,900/yr	$18,100/yr	-$2,200
Elementary (K-5)	$6,200/yr	$8,100/yr	-$1,900
Middle School (6-8)	$7,300/yr	$9,500/yr	-$2,200
High School (9-12)	$8,800/yr	$11,400/yr	-$2,600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Omaha

$94,900

Surprise

$123,500

Choosing Omaha saves $28,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $57,200.

Sample Schools

Omaha

Creighton Preparatory School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

Westside Community Schools (Private Prep)

Independent · K–12 · $11,800/yr

Surprise

Surprise Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $8,600-$10,800/yr

Holy Cross School (Surprise AZ)

Catholic · K–8 · $7,800-$9,600/yr

Full Omaha breakdown → Full Surprise breakdown →

Nebraska private school costs Arizona 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.