Is private school cheaper in Allen or Ann Arbor?

Ann Arbor has lower average private school tuition at $10,400/year vs $12,600/year in Allen. That's $2,200/year less, or $28,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Ann Arbor is $2,200/year less than Allen. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $28,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,600/year in Allen, $7,200/year in Ann Arbor.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Allen averages $12,600/year ($250 above average). Ann Arbor averages $10,400/year ($1,950 below average).

Private School Cost: Allen vs Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor averages $2,200/year less for private school (21% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $28,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Ann Arbor is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,400/year vs $12,600/year in Allen. Religious schools run $7,200/year on the low end.

Allen

$12,600

avg tuition/year

$250 above national avg

Ann Arbor

$10,400

avg tuition/year

$1,950 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Allen	Ann Arbor	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$12,600/yr	$10,400/yr	+$2,200
Religious Schools	$8,600/yr	$7,200/yr	+$1,400
Independent/Prep	$26,600/yr	$22,200/yr	+$4,400
Elementary (K-5)	$10,700/yr	$8,800/yr	+$1,900
Middle School (6-8)	$12,600/yr	$10,400/yr	+$2,200
High School (9-12)	$15,100/yr	$12,500/yr	+$2,600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Allen

$163,800

Ann Arbor

$135,200

Choosing Ann Arbor saves $28,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $57,200.

Sample Schools

Allen

Allen Christian Academy

Christian · PK–12 · $10,200-$12,800/yr

Our Lady of Angels School (Allen)

Catholic · K–8 · $8,800-$10,600/yr

Ann Arbor

Greenhills School

Independent · 6–12 · $24,800/yr

Father Gabriel Richard High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

Full Allen breakdown → Full Ann Arbor breakdown →

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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.