Is private school cheaper in Albany or Detroit?

Detroit has lower average private school tuition at $11,500/year vs $19,700/year in Albany. That's $8,200/year less, or $106,600 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Detroit over Albany?

Average tuition in Detroit is $8,200/year less than Albany. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $106,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $11,300/year in Albany, $7,600/year in Detroit.

How do Albany and Detroit private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Albany averages $19,700/year ($7,350 above average). Detroit averages $11,500/year ($850 below average).

Private School Cost: Albany vs Detroit

Detroit averages $8,200/year less for private school (71% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $106,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Detroit is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,500/year vs $19,700/year in Albany. Religious schools run $7,600/year on the low end.

Albany

$19,700

avg tuition/year

$7,350 above national avg

Detroit

$11,500

avg tuition/year

$850 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Albany	Detroit	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$19,700/yr	$11,500/yr	+$8,200
Religious Schools	$11,300/yr	$7,600/yr	+$3,700
Independent/Prep	$41,900/yr	$21,500/yr	+$20,400
Elementary (K-5)	$16,700/yr	$9,400/yr	+$7,300
Middle School (6-8)	$19,700/yr	$11,500/yr	+$8,200
High School (9-12)	$23,600/yr	$14,200/yr	+$9,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Albany

$256,100

Detroit

$149,500

Choosing Detroit saves $106,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $213,200.

Sample Schools

Albany

Albany Academy (NY)

Independent · PK–12 · $28,400/yr

Vincentian Institute

Catholic · PK–12 · $12,800/yr

Detroit

Cranbrook Kingswood School

Independent · PK–12 · $34,200-$36,800/yr

University of Detroit Jesuit High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,200/yr

Brother Rice High School (Detroit)

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,800/yr

Mercy High School (Farmington Hills)

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,200/yr

Full Albany breakdown → Full Detroit breakdown →

New York private school costs Michigan private school costs

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.