Is private school cheaper in Surprise or Thornton?

Surprise has lower average private school tuition at $9,500/year vs $13,100/year in Thornton. That's $3,600/year less, or $46,800 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Surprise is $3,600/year less than Thornton. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $46,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,100/year in Surprise, $8,500/year in Thornton.

How do Surprise and Thornton 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). Thornton averages $13,100/year ($750 above average).

Private School Cost: Surprise vs Thornton

Surprise averages $3,600/year less for private school (38% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $46,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Surprise is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,500/year vs $13,100/year in Thornton. Religious schools run $7,100/year on the low end.

Surprise

$9,500

avg tuition/year

$2,850 below national avg

Lower cost

Thornton

$13,100

avg tuition/year

$750 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Surprise	Thornton	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$9,500/yr	$13,100/yr	-$3,600
Religious Schools	$7,100/yr	$8,500/yr	-$1,400
Independent/Prep	$18,100/yr	$25,700/yr	-$7,600
Elementary (K-5)	$8,100/yr	$11,100/yr	-$3,000
Middle School (6-8)	$9,500/yr	$13,100/yr	-$3,600
High School (9-12)	$11,400/yr	$15,700/yr	-$4,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Surprise

$123,500

Thornton

$170,300

Choosing Surprise saves $46,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $93,600.

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

Thornton

Thornton Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

St. Pius X Catholic School (Thornton)

Catholic · K–8 · $8,400-$10,200/yr

Full Surprise breakdown → Full Thornton breakdown →

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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.