Is private school cheaper in Sacramento or Surprise?

Surprise has lower average private school tuition at $9,500/year vs $16,000/year in Sacramento. That's $6,500/year less, or $84,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Surprise is $6,500/year less than Sacramento. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $84,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,800/year in Sacramento, $7,100/year in Surprise.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Sacramento averages $16,000/year ($3,650 above average). Surprise averages $9,500/year ($2,850 below average).

Private School Cost: Sacramento vs Surprise

Surprise averages $6,500/year less for private school (68% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $84,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Surprise is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,500/year vs $16,000/year in Sacramento. Religious schools run $7,100/year on the low end.

Sacramento

$16,000

avg tuition/year

$3,650 above national avg

Surprise

$9,500

avg tuition/year

$2,850 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Sacramento	Surprise	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$16,000/yr	$9,500/yr	+$6,500
Religious Schools	$9,800/yr	$7,100/yr	+$2,700
Independent/Prep	$28,500/yr	$18,100/yr	+$10,400
Elementary (K-5)	$13,000/yr	$8,100/yr	+$4,900
Middle School (6-8)	$16,000/yr	$9,500/yr	+$6,500
High School (9-12)	$19,800/yr	$11,400/yr	+$8,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Sacramento

$208,000

Surprise

$123,500

Choosing Surprise saves $84,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $169,000.

Sample Schools

Sacramento

Sacramento Country Day School

Independent · PK–12 · $29,800-$32,400/yr

Christian Brothers High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,800/yr

Jesuit High School (Sacramento)

Catholic · 9–12 · $19,400/yr

St. Francis High School (Sacramento)

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,200/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 Sacramento breakdown → Full Surprise breakdown →

California 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.