Is private school cheaper in San Diego or Surprise?

Surprise has lower average private school tuition at $9,500/year vs $21,200/year in San Diego. That's $11,700/year less, or $152,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Surprise is $11,700/year less than San Diego. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $152,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $11,500/year in San Diego, $7,100/year in Surprise.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. San Diego averages $21,200/year ($8,850 above average). Surprise averages $9,500/year ($2,850 below average).

Private School Cost: San Diego vs Surprise

Surprise averages $11,700/year less for private school (123% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $152,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Surprise is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,500/year vs $21,200/year in San Diego. Religious schools run $7,100/year on the low end.

San Diego

$21,200

avg tuition/year

$8,850 above national avg

Surprise

$9,500

avg tuition/year

$2,850 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	San Diego	Surprise	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$21,200/yr	$9,500/yr	+$11,700
Religious Schools	$11,500/yr	$7,100/yr	+$4,400
Independent/Prep	$36,500/yr	$18,100/yr	+$18,400
Elementary (K-5)	$17,500/yr	$8,100/yr	+$9,400
Middle School (6-8)	$21,200/yr	$9,500/yr	+$11,700
High School (9-12)	$26,000/yr	$11,400/yr	+$14,600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

San Diego

$275,600

Surprise

$123,500

Choosing Surprise saves $152,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $304,200.

Sample Schools

San Diego

Bishop's School

Independent · 7–12 · $43,200/yr

La Jolla Country Day School

Independent · PK–12 · $38,800-$41,200/yr

Francis Parker School

Independent · K–12 · $36,400-$38,800/yr

Cathedral Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $19,800/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 Diego breakdown → Full Surprise breakdown →

California private school costs Arizona private school costs

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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.