Is private school cheaper in Phoenix or Thornton?

Thornton has lower average private school tuition at $13,100/year vs $13,400/year in Phoenix. That's $300/year less, or $3,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Thornton is $300/year less than Phoenix. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $3,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,600/year in Phoenix, $8,500/year in Thornton.

How do Phoenix and Thornton 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). Thornton averages $13,100/year ($750 above average).

Private School Cost: Phoenix vs Thornton

Thornton averages $300/year less for private school (2% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $3,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Thornton is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,100/year vs $13,400/year in Phoenix. Religious schools run $8,500/year on the low end.

Phoenix

$13,400

avg tuition/year

$1,050 above national avg

Thornton

$13,100

avg tuition/year

$750 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Phoenix	Thornton	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$13,400/yr	$13,100/yr	+$300
Religious Schools	$8,600/yr	$8,500/yr	+$100
Independent/Prep	$24,500/yr	$25,700/yr	-$1,200
Elementary (K-5)	$11,000/yr	$11,100/yr	-$100
Middle School (6-8)	$13,400/yr	$13,100/yr	+$300
High School (9-12)	$16,500/yr	$15,700/yr	+$800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Phoenix

$174,200

Thornton

$170,300

Choosing Thornton saves $3,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $7,800.

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

Thornton

Thornton Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

St. Pius X Catholic School (Thornton)

Catholic · K–8 · $8,400-$10,200/yr

Full Phoenix breakdown → Full Thornton breakdown →

Arizona private school costs Colorado private school costs

Related Comparisons

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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.