Is private school cheaper in Phoenix or Surprise?

Surprise has lower average private school tuition at $9,500/year vs $13,400/year in Phoenix. That's $3,900/year less, or $50,700 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Surprise is $3,900/year less than Phoenix. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $50,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,600/year in Phoenix, $7,100/year in Surprise.

How do Phoenix and Surprise 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). Surprise averages $9,500/year ($2,850 below average).

Private School Cost: Phoenix vs Surprise

Surprise averages $3,900/year less for private school (41% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $50,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Surprise is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,500/year vs $13,400/year in Phoenix. Religious schools run $7,100/year on the low end.

Phoenix

$13,400

avg tuition/year

$1,050 above national avg

Surprise

$9,500

avg tuition/year

$2,850 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Phoenix	Surprise	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$13,400/yr	$9,500/yr	+$3,900
Religious Schools	$8,600/yr	$7,100/yr	+$1,500
Independent/Prep	$24,500/yr	$18,100/yr	+$6,400
Elementary (K-5)	$11,000/yr	$8,100/yr	+$2,900
Middle School (6-8)	$13,400/yr	$9,500/yr	+$3,900
High School (9-12)	$16,500/yr	$11,400/yr	+$5,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Phoenix

$174,200

Surprise

$123,500

Choosing Surprise saves $50,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $101,400.

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

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 Phoenix breakdown → Full Surprise breakdown →

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.