Is private school cheaper in Sparks or Tucson?

Tucson has lower average private school tuition at $10,800/year vs $11,200/year in Sparks. That's $400/year less, or $5,200 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Tucson is $400/year less than Sparks. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $5,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,800/year in Sparks, $7,200/year in Tucson.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Sparks averages $11,200/year ($1,150 below average). Tucson averages $10,800/year ($1,550 below average).

Private School Cost: Sparks vs Tucson

Tucson averages $400/year less for private school (4% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $5,200 per child.

Bottom Line

Tucson is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,800/year vs $11,200/year in Sparks. Religious schools run $7,200/year on the low end.

Sparks

$11,200

avg tuition/year

$1,150 below national avg

Tucson

$10,800

avg tuition/year

$1,550 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Sparks	Tucson	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,200/yr	$10,800/yr	+$400
Religious Schools	$7,800/yr	$7,200/yr	+$600
Independent/Prep	$22,500/yr	$20,500/yr	+$2,000
Elementary (K-5)	$9,500/yr	$8,800/yr	+$700
Middle School (6-8)	$11,200/yr	$10,800/yr	+$400
High School (9-12)	$13,400/yr	$13,400/yr	Same

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Sparks

$145,600

Tucson

$140,400

Choosing Tucson saves $5,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $10,400.

Sample Schools

Sparks

Coral Academy of Science (Sparks)

Independent · K–12 · $7,400-$9,200/yr

St. Albert School (Sparks)

Catholic · K–8 · $8,200-$10,200/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 Sparks breakdown → Full Tucson breakdown →

Nevada 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.