Is private school cheaper in Alexandria or Lansing?

Lansing has lower average private school tuition at $8,500/year vs $18,800/year in Alexandria. That's $10,300/year less, or $133,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Lansing is $10,300/year less than Alexandria. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $133,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $12,900/year in Alexandria, $5,900/year in Lansing.

How do Alexandria and Lansing 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). Lansing averages $8,500/year ($3,850 below average).

Private School Cost: Alexandria vs Lansing

Lansing averages $10,300/year less for private school (121% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $133,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Lansing is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,500/year vs $18,800/year in Alexandria. Religious schools run $5,900/year on the low end.

Alexandria

$18,800

avg tuition/year

$6,450 above national avg

Lansing

$8,500

avg tuition/year

$3,850 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Alexandria	Lansing	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,800/yr	$8,500/yr	+$10,300
Religious Schools	$12,900/yr	$5,900/yr	+$7,000
Independent/Prep	$37,600/yr	$18,200/yr	+$19,400
Elementary (K-5)	$16,000/yr	$7,200/yr	+$8,800
Middle School (6-8)	$18,800/yr	$8,500/yr	+$10,300
High School (9-12)	$22,600/yr	$10,200/yr	+$12,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Alexandria

$244,400

Lansing

$110,500

Choosing Lansing saves $133,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $267,800.

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

Lansing

Lansing Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $11,200/yr

Potter's House Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $8,400-$10,400/yr

Full Alexandria breakdown → Full Lansing 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.