Is private school cheaper in Sunnyvale or Tucson?

Tucson has lower average private school tuition at $10,800/year vs $21,600/year in Sunnyvale. That's $10,800/year less, or $140,400 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Tucson is $10,800/year less than Sunnyvale. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $140,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $14,100/year in Sunnyvale, $7,200/year in Tucson.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Sunnyvale averages $21,600/year ($9,250 above average). Tucson averages $10,800/year ($1,550 below average).

Private School Cost: Sunnyvale vs Tucson

Tucson averages $10,800/year less for private school (100% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $140,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Tucson is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,800/year vs $21,600/year in Sunnyvale. Religious schools run $7,200/year on the low end.

Sunnyvale

$21,600

avg tuition/year

$9,250 above national avg

Tucson

$10,800

avg tuition/year

$1,550 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Sunnyvale	Tucson	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$21,600/yr	$10,800/yr	+$10,800
Religious Schools	$14,100/yr	$7,200/yr	+$6,900
Independent/Prep	$42,100/yr	$20,500/yr	+$21,600
Elementary (K-5)	$18,400/yr	$8,800/yr	+$9,600
Middle School (6-8)	$21,600/yr	$10,800/yr	+$10,800
High School (9-12)	$25,900/yr	$13,400/yr	+$12,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Sunnyvale

$280,800

Tucson

$140,400

Choosing Tucson saves $140,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $280,800.

Sample Schools

Sunnyvale

Archbishop Mitty High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $26,800/yr

Stratford School (Sunnyvale)

Independent · PK–8 · $24,200-$27,600/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 Sunnyvale 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.