Is private school cheaper in Orange County or Phoenix?

Phoenix has lower average private school tuition at $13,400/year vs $20,800/year in Orange County. That's $7,400/year less, or $96,200 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Phoenix is $7,400/year less than Orange County. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $96,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $11,200/year in Orange County, $8,600/year in Phoenix.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Orange County averages $20,800/year ($8,450 above average). Phoenix averages $13,400/year ($1,050 above average).

Private School Cost: Orange County vs Phoenix

Phoenix averages $7,400/year less for private school (55% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $96,200 per child.

Bottom Line

Phoenix is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,400/year vs $20,800/year in Orange County. Religious schools run $8,600/year on the low end.

Orange County

$20,800

avg tuition/year

$8,450 above national avg

Phoenix

$13,400

avg tuition/year

$1,050 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Orange County	Phoenix	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$20,800/yr	$13,400/yr	+$7,400
Religious Schools	$11,200/yr	$8,600/yr	+$2,600
Independent/Prep	$34,800/yr	$24,500/yr	+$10,300
Elementary (K-5)	$17,000/yr	$11,000/yr	+$6,000
Middle School (6-8)	$20,800/yr	$13,400/yr	+$7,400
High School (9-12)	$25,500/yr	$16,500/yr	+$9,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Orange County

$270,400

Phoenix

$174,200

Choosing Phoenix saves $96,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $192,400.

Sample Schools

Orange County

Sage Hill School

Independent · 9–12 · $41,800/yr

Fairmont Preparatory Academy

Independent · 9–12 · $34,600-$37,200/yr

Calvary Chapel Academy

Christian · K–12 · $10,400-$12,800/yr

JSerra Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $22,400/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 Orange County breakdown → Full Phoenix breakdown →

California private school costs Arizona private school costs

Related Comparisons

Denver vs Phoenix → San Francisco vs Phoenix → Boston vs Phoenix → Los Angeles vs Phoenix →

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.