Is private school cheaper in Santa Rosa or Tucson?

Tucson has lower average private school tuition at $10,800/year vs $17,600/year in Santa Rosa. That's $6,800/year less, or $88,400 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Tucson over Santa Rosa?

Average tuition in Tucson is $6,800/year less than Santa Rosa. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $88,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $11,400/year in Santa Rosa, $7,200/year in Tucson.

How do Santa Rosa and Tucson private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Santa Rosa averages $17,600/year ($5,250 above average). Tucson averages $10,800/year ($1,550 below average).

Private School Cost: Santa Rosa vs Tucson

Tucson averages $6,800/year less for private school (63% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $88,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Tucson is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,800/year vs $17,600/year in Santa Rosa. Religious schools run $7,200/year on the low end.

Santa Rosa

$17,600

avg tuition/year

$5,250 above national avg

Tucson

$10,800

avg tuition/year

$1,550 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Santa Rosa	Tucson	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$17,600/yr	$10,800/yr	+$6,800
Religious Schools	$11,400/yr	$7,200/yr	+$4,200
Independent/Prep	$34,200/yr	$20,500/yr	+$13,700
Elementary (K-5)	$15,000/yr	$8,800/yr	+$6,200
Middle School (6-8)	$17,600/yr	$10,800/yr	+$6,800
High School (9-12)	$21,100/yr	$13,400/yr	+$7,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Santa Rosa

$228,800

Tucson

$140,400

Choosing Tucson saves $88,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $176,800.

Sample Schools

Santa Rosa

Cardinal Newman High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,200/yr

Rincon Valley Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $10,400-$12,800/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 Santa Rosa breakdown → Full Tucson 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.