Is private school cheaper in Surprise or Tampa?

Surprise has lower average private school tuition at $9,500/year vs $12,500/year in Tampa. That's $3,000/year less, or $39,000 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Surprise is $3,000/year less than Tampa. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $39,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,100/year in Surprise, $8,200/year in Tampa.

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

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

Private School Cost: Surprise vs Tampa

Surprise averages $3,000/year less for private school (32% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $39,000 per child.

Bottom Line

Surprise is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,500/year vs $12,500/year in Tampa. Religious schools run $7,100/year on the low end.

Surprise

$9,500

avg tuition/year

$2,850 below national avg

Lower cost

Tampa

$12,500

avg tuition/year

$150 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Surprise	Tampa	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$9,500/yr	$12,500/yr	-$3,000
Religious Schools	$7,100/yr	$8,200/yr	-$1,100
Independent/Prep	$18,100/yr	$23,500/yr	-$5,400
Elementary (K-5)	$8,100/yr	$10,200/yr	-$2,100
Middle School (6-8)	$9,500/yr	$12,500/yr	-$3,000
High School (9-12)	$11,400/yr	$15,500/yr	-$4,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Surprise

$123,500

Tampa

$162,500

Choosing Surprise saves $39,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $78,000.

Sample Schools

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

Tampa

Academy at the Lakes

Independent · PK–12 · $23,800-$26,200/yr

Jesuit High School (Tampa)

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,800/yr

Berkeley Preparatory School

Independent · PK–12 · $27,200-$29,800/yr

Tampa Prep

Independent · 6–12 · $22,400-$24,200/yr

Full Surprise breakdown → Full Tampa breakdown →

Arizona private school costs Florida private school costs

Related Comparisons

Miami vs Tampa → Tampa vs Orlando →

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.