Is private school cheaper in Springfield or Surprise?

Surprise has lower average private school tuition at $9,500/year vs $22,500/year in Springfield. That's $13,000/year less, or $169,000 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Surprise is $13,000/year less than Springfield. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $169,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $12,200/year in Springfield, $7,100/year in Surprise.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Springfield averages $22,500/year ($10,150 above average). Surprise averages $9,500/year ($2,850 below average).

Private School Cost: Springfield vs Surprise

Surprise averages $13,000/year less for private school (137% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $169,000 per child.

Bottom Line

Surprise is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,500/year vs $22,500/year in Springfield. Religious schools run $7,100/year on the low end.

Springfield

$22,500

avg tuition/year

$10,150 above national avg

Surprise

$9,500

avg tuition/year

$2,850 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Springfield	Surprise	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$22,500/yr	$9,500/yr	+$13,000
Religious Schools	$12,200/yr	$7,100/yr	+$5,100
Independent/Prep	$45,800/yr	$18,100/yr	+$27,700
Elementary (K-5)	$19,100/yr	$8,100/yr	+$11,000
Middle School (6-8)	$22,500/yr	$9,500/yr	+$13,000
High School (9-12)	$27,000/yr	$11,400/yr	+$15,600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Springfield

$292,500

Surprise

$123,500

Choosing Surprise saves $169,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $338,000.

Sample Schools

Springfield

Cathedral High School (Springfield MA)

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,200/yr

The MacDuffie School

Independent · 6–12 · $38,400/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 Springfield breakdown → Full Surprise breakdown →

Massachusetts 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.