Is private school cheaper in San Bernardino or Surprise?

Surprise has lower average private school tuition at $9,500/year vs $13,800/year in San Bernardino. That's $4,300/year less, or $55,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Surprise is $4,300/year less than San Bernardino. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $55,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,000/year in San Bernardino, $7,100/year in Surprise.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. San Bernardino averages $13,800/year ($1,450 above average). Surprise averages $9,500/year ($2,850 below average).

Private School Cost: San Bernardino vs Surprise

Surprise averages $4,300/year less for private school (45% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $55,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Surprise is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,500/year vs $13,800/year in San Bernardino. Religious schools run $7,100/year on the low end.

San Bernardino

$13,800

avg tuition/year

$1,450 above national avg

Surprise

$9,500

avg tuition/year

$2,850 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	San Bernardino	Surprise	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$13,800/yr	$9,500/yr	+$4,300
Religious Schools	$9,000/yr	$7,100/yr	+$1,900
Independent/Prep	$26,800/yr	$18,100/yr	+$8,700
Elementary (K-5)	$11,700/yr	$8,100/yr	+$3,600
Middle School (6-8)	$13,800/yr	$9,500/yr	+$4,300
High School (9-12)	$16,600/yr	$11,400/yr	+$5,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

San Bernardino

$179,400

Surprise

$123,500

Choosing Surprise saves $55,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $111,800.

Sample Schools

San Bernardino

Our Lady of the Assumption School

Catholic · PK–8 · $8,400-$10,200/yr

San Bernardino Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $7,800-$9,200/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 San Bernardino 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.