Is private school cheaper in Alexandria or Ann Arbor?

Ann Arbor has lower average private school tuition at $10,400/year vs $18,800/year in Alexandria. That's $8,400/year less, or $109,200 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Ann Arbor over Alexandria?

Average tuition in Ann Arbor is $8,400/year less than Alexandria. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $109,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $12,900/year in Alexandria, $7,200/year in Ann Arbor.

How do Alexandria and Ann Arbor private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Alexandria averages $18,800/year ($6,450 above average). Ann Arbor averages $10,400/year ($1,950 below average).

Private School Cost: Alexandria vs Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor averages $8,400/year less for private school (81% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $109,200 per child.

Bottom Line

Ann Arbor is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,400/year vs $18,800/year in Alexandria. Religious schools run $7,200/year on the low end.

Alexandria

$18,800

avg tuition/year

$6,450 above national avg

Ann Arbor

$10,400

avg tuition/year

$1,950 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Alexandria	Ann Arbor	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,800/yr	$10,400/yr	+$8,400
Religious Schools	$12,900/yr	$7,200/yr	+$5,700
Independent/Prep	$37,600/yr	$22,200/yr	+$15,400
Elementary (K-5)	$16,000/yr	$8,800/yr	+$7,200
Middle School (6-8)	$18,800/yr	$10,400/yr	+$8,400
High School (9-12)	$22,600/yr	$12,500/yr	+$10,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Alexandria

$244,400

Ann Arbor

$135,200

Choosing Ann Arbor saves $109,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $218,400.

Sample Schools

Alexandria

Episcopal High School (Alexandria VA)

Independent (Episcopal) · 9–12 · $65,800/yr

Bishop Ireton High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,400/yr

Ann Arbor

Greenhills School

Independent · 6–12 · $24,800/yr

Father Gabriel Richard High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

Full Alexandria breakdown → Full Ann Arbor breakdown →

Virginia 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.