Is private school cheaper in San Jose or Tucson?

Tucson has lower average private school tuition at $10,800/year vs $25,200/year in San Jose. That's $14,400/year less, or $187,200 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Tucson over San Jose?

Average tuition in Tucson is $14,400/year less than San Jose. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $187,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $13,800/year in San Jose, $7,200/year in Tucson.

How do San Jose and Tucson private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. San Jose averages $25,200/year ($12,850 above average). Tucson averages $10,800/year ($1,550 below average).

Private School Cost: San Jose vs Tucson

Tucson averages $14,400/year less for private school (133% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $187,200 per child.

Bottom Line

Tucson is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,800/year vs $25,200/year in San Jose. Religious schools run $7,200/year on the low end.

San Jose

$25,200

avg tuition/year

$12,850 above national avg

Tucson

$10,800

avg tuition/year

$1,550 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	San Jose	Tucson	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$25,200/yr	$10,800/yr	+$14,400
Religious Schools	$13,800/yr	$7,200/yr	+$6,600
Independent/Prep	$40,500/yr	$20,500/yr	+$20,000
Elementary (K-5)	$20,500/yr	$8,800/yr	+$11,700
Middle School (6-8)	$25,200/yr	$10,800/yr	+$14,400
High School (9-12)	$31,200/yr	$13,400/yr	+$17,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

San Jose

$327,600

Tucson

$140,400

Choosing Tucson saves $187,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $374,400.

Sample Schools

San Jose

Harker School

Independent · K–12 · $48,200-$51,600/yr

Bellarmine College Preparatory

Catholic · 9–12 · $22,800/yr

Archbishop Mitty High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $21,400/yr

Presentation High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $20,800/yr

Tucson

Basis Tucson North

Charter (Free) · 5–12

Salpointe Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

Pusch Ridge Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $10,200-$11,800/yr

Tanque Verde School

Public District · K–12

Full San Jose breakdown → Full Tucson breakdown →

California private school costs Arizona private school costs

Related Comparisons

Los Angeles vs San Jose → San Francisco vs San Jose →

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.