Is private school cheaper in Tampa or Tucson?

Tucson has lower average private school tuition at $10,800/year vs $12,500/year in Tampa. That's $1,700/year less, or $22,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Tucson is $1,700/year less than Tampa. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $22,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,200/year in Tampa, $7,200/year in Tucson.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Tampa averages $12,500/year ($150 above average). Tucson averages $10,800/year ($1,550 below average).

Private School Cost: Tampa vs Tucson

Tucson averages $1,700/year less for private school (16% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $22,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Tucson is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,800/year vs $12,500/year in Tampa. Religious schools run $7,200/year on the low end.

Tampa

$12,500

avg tuition/year

$150 above national avg

Tucson

$10,800

avg tuition/year

$1,550 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Tampa	Tucson	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$12,500/yr	$10,800/yr	+$1,700
Religious Schools	$8,200/yr	$7,200/yr	+$1,000
Independent/Prep	$23,500/yr	$20,500/yr	+$3,000
Elementary (K-5)	$10,200/yr	$8,800/yr	+$1,400
Middle School (6-8)	$12,500/yr	$10,800/yr	+$1,700
High School (9-12)	$15,500/yr	$13,400/yr	+$2,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Tampa

$162,500

Tucson

$140,400

Choosing Tucson saves $22,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $44,200.

Sample Schools

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

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 Tampa breakdown → Full Tucson breakdown →

Florida private school costs Arizona 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.