Is private school cheaper in Salem or Surprise?

Surprise has lower average private school tuition at $9,500/year vs $12,400/year in Salem. That's $2,900/year less, or $37,700 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Surprise is $2,900/year less than Salem. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $37,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,400/year in Salem, $7,100/year in Surprise.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Salem averages $12,400/year ($50 above average). Surprise averages $9,500/year ($2,850 below average).

Private School Cost: Salem vs Surprise

Surprise averages $2,900/year less for private school (31% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $37,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Surprise is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,500/year vs $12,400/year in Salem. Religious schools run $7,100/year on the low end.

Salem

$12,400

avg tuition/year

$50 above national avg

Surprise

$9,500

avg tuition/year

$2,850 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Salem	Surprise	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$12,400/yr	$9,500/yr	+$2,900
Religious Schools	$8,400/yr	$7,100/yr	+$1,300
Independent/Prep	$25,000/yr	$18,100/yr	+$6,900
Elementary (K-5)	$10,500/yr	$8,100/yr	+$2,400
Middle School (6-8)	$12,400/yr	$9,500/yr	+$2,900
High School (9-12)	$14,900/yr	$11,400/yr	+$3,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Salem

$161,200

Surprise

$123,500

Choosing Surprise saves $37,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $75,400.

Sample Schools

Salem

Salem Academy (OR)

Christian · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Blanchet Catholic School (Salem)

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/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 Salem breakdown → Full Surprise breakdown →

Oregon 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.