Is private school cheaper in Phoenix or Scranton?

Scranton has lower average private school tuition at $12,200/year vs $13,400/year in Phoenix. That's $1,200/year less, or $15,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Scranton is $1,200/year less than Phoenix. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $15,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,600/year in Phoenix, $7,800/year in Scranton.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Phoenix averages $13,400/year ($1,050 above average). Scranton averages $12,200/year ($150 below average).

Private School Cost: Phoenix vs Scranton

Scranton averages $1,200/year less for private school (10% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $15,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Scranton is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $12,200/year vs $13,400/year in Phoenix. Religious schools run $7,800/year on the low end.

Phoenix

$13,400

avg tuition/year

$1,050 above national avg

Scranton

$12,200

avg tuition/year

$150 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Phoenix	Scranton	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$13,400/yr	$12,200/yr	+$1,200
Religious Schools	$8,600/yr	$7,800/yr	+$800
Independent/Prep	$24,500/yr	$28,300/yr	-$3,800
Elementary (K-5)	$11,000/yr	$10,400/yr	+$600
Middle School (6-8)	$13,400/yr	$12,200/yr	+$1,200
High School (9-12)	$16,500/yr	$14,600/yr	+$1,900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Phoenix

$174,200

Scranton

$158,600

Choosing Scranton saves $15,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $31,200.

Sample Schools

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

Scranton

Holy Cross High School (Dunmore)

Catholic · 9–12 · $11,200/yr

Wyoming Seminary

Independent · 9–12 · $36,800-$42,000/yr

Full Phoenix breakdown → Full Scranton breakdown →

Arizona private school costs Pennsylvania 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.