Private School Cost: Phoenix vs Sunnyvale
Phoenix averages $8,200/year less for private school (61% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $106,600 per child.
Bottom Line
Phoenix is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,400/year vs $21,600/year in Sunnyvale. Religious schools run $8,600/year on the low end.
Phoenix
AZ
$13,400
avg tuition/year
Sunnyvale
CA
$21,600
avg tuition/year
Tuition by School Type & Grade
| Category | Phoenix | Sunnyvale | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Schools (Average) | $13,400/yr | $21,600/yr | -$8,200 |
| Religious Schools | $8,600/yr | $14,100/yr | -$5,500 |
| Independent/Prep | $24,500/yr | $42,100/yr | -$17,600 |
| Elementary (K-5) | $11,000/yr | $18,400/yr | -$7,400 |
| Middle School (6-8) | $13,400/yr | $21,600/yr | -$8,200 |
| High School (9-12) | $16,500/yr | $25,900/yr | -$9,400 |
K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)
Phoenix
$174,200
Sunnyvale
$280,800
Choosing Phoenix saves $106,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $213,200.
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
Sunnyvale
Archbishop Mitty High School
Catholic · 9–12 · $26,800/yr
Stratford School (Sunnyvale)
Independent · PK–8 · $24,200-$27,600/yr
Related Comparisons
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.