Is private school cheaper in Surprise or Washington DC?

Surprise has lower average private school tuition at $9,500/year vs $28,400/year in Washington DC. That's $18,900/year less, or $245,700 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Surprise is $18,900/year less than Washington DC. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $245,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,100/year in Surprise, $15,200/year in Washington DC.

How do Surprise and Washington DC 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). Washington DC averages $28,400/year ($16,050 above average).

Private School Cost: Surprise vs Washington DC

Surprise averages $18,900/year less for private school (199% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $245,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Surprise is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,500/year vs $28,400/year in Washington DC. Religious schools run $7,100/year on the low end.

Surprise

$9,500

avg tuition/year

$2,850 below national avg

Lower cost

Washington DC

$28,400

avg tuition/year

$16,050 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Surprise	Washington DC	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$9,500/yr	$28,400/yr	-$18,900
Religious Schools	$7,100/yr	$15,200/yr	-$8,100
Independent/Prep	$18,100/yr	$46,000/yr	-$27,900
Elementary (K-5)	$8,100/yr	$23,000/yr	-$14,900
Middle School (6-8)	$9,500/yr	$28,400/yr	-$18,900
High School (9-12)	$11,400/yr	$35,500/yr	-$24,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Surprise

$123,500

Washington DC

$369,200

Choosing Surprise saves $245,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $491,400.

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

Washington DC

Sidwell Friends School

Independent (Quaker) · PK–12 · $52,900/yr

Georgetown Day School

Independent · PK–12 · $51,400/yr

National Cathedral School

Independent · 4–12 · $50,200/yr

Gonzaga College High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $25,400/yr

Full Surprise breakdown → Full Washington DC breakdown →

Arizona private school costs District of Columbia private school costs

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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.