Is private school cheaper in Springfield or Surprise?

Springfield has lower average private school tuition at $7,700/year vs $9,500/year in Surprise. That's $1,800/year less, or $23,400 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Springfield is $1,800/year less than Surprise. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $23,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,500/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 $7,700/year ($4,650 below average). Surprise averages $9,500/year ($2,850 below average).

Private School Cost: Springfield vs Surprise

Springfield averages $1,800/year less for private school (23% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $23,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Springfield is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,700/year vs $9,500/year in Surprise. Religious schools run $5,500/year on the low end.

Springfield

$7,700

avg tuition/year

$4,650 below national avg

Lower cost

Surprise

$9,500

avg tuition/year

$2,850 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Springfield	Surprise	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$7,700/yr	$9,500/yr	-$1,800
Religious Schools	$5,500/yr	$7,100/yr	-$1,600
Independent/Prep	$18,000/yr	$18,100/yr	-$100
Elementary (K-5)	$6,500/yr	$8,100/yr	-$1,600
Middle School (6-8)	$7,700/yr	$9,500/yr	-$1,800
High School (9-12)	$9,200/yr	$11,400/yr	-$2,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Springfield

$100,100

Surprise

$123,500

Choosing Springfield saves $23,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $46,800.

Sample Schools

Springfield

Greenwood Laboratory School (Springfield MO)

Independent · PK–12 · $8,800-$11,200/yr

St. Agnes Cathedral School

Catholic · K–8 · $7,800-$9,600/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 →

Missouri 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.