Private School Cost: Surprise vs West Covina
Surprise averages $7,000/year less for private school (74% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $91,000 per child.
Bottom Line
Surprise is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,500/year vs $16,500/year in West Covina. Religious schools run $7,100/year on the low end.
Surprise
AZ
$9,500
avg tuition/year
West Covina
CA
$16,500
avg tuition/year
Tuition by School Type & Grade
| Category | Surprise | West Covina | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Schools (Average) | $9,500/yr | $16,500/yr | -$7,000 |
| Religious Schools | $7,100/yr | $10,700/yr | -$3,600 |
| Independent/Prep | $18,100/yr | $32,000/yr | -$13,900 |
| Elementary (K-5) | $8,100/yr | $14,000/yr | -$5,900 |
| Middle School (6-8) | $9,500/yr | $16,500/yr | -$7,000 |
| High School (9-12) | $11,400/yr | $19,800/yr | -$8,400 |
K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)
Surprise
$123,500
West Covina
$214,500
Choosing Surprise saves $91,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $182,000.
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
West Covina
Bishop Amat Memorial High School
Catholic · 9–12 · $16,200/yr
Ambassadors Christian School
Christian · K–12 · $8,400-$10,200/yr
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.