Is private school cheaper in Orlando or Surprise?

Surprise has lower average private school tuition at $9,500/year vs $11,000/year in Orlando. That's $1,500/year less, or $19,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Surprise is $1,500/year less than Orlando. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $19,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,600/year in Orlando, $7,100/year in Surprise.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Orlando averages $11,000/year ($1,350 below average). Surprise averages $9,500/year ($2,850 below average).

Private School Cost: Orlando vs Surprise

Surprise averages $1,500/year less for private school (16% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $19,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Surprise is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,500/year vs $11,000/year in Orlando. Religious schools run $7,100/year on the low end.

Orlando

$11,000

avg tuition/year

$1,350 below national avg

Surprise

$9,500

avg tuition/year

$2,850 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Orlando	Surprise	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,000/yr	$9,500/yr	+$1,500
Religious Schools	$7,600/yr	$7,100/yr	+$500
Independent/Prep	$22,600/yr	$18,100/yr	+$4,500
Elementary (K-5)	$9,400/yr	$8,100/yr	+$1,300
Middle School (6-8)	$11,000/yr	$9,500/yr	+$1,500
High School (9-12)	$13,200/yr	$11,400/yr	+$1,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Orlando

$143,000

Surprise

$123,500

Choosing Surprise saves $19,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $39,000.

Sample Schools

Orlando

The First Academy (Orlando)

Christian · PK–12 · $16,800/yr

Lake Highland Preparatory School

Independent · PK–12 · $23,400/yr

Bishop Moore Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,200/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 Orlando breakdown → Full Surprise breakdown →

Florida 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.