Is private school cheaper in Ann Arbor or Athens?

Athens has lower average private school tuition at $10,100/year vs $10,400/year in Ann Arbor. That's $300/year less, or $3,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Athens is $300/year less than Ann Arbor. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $3,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,200/year in Ann Arbor, $7,000/year in Athens.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Ann Arbor averages $10,400/year ($1,950 below average). Athens averages $10,100/year ($2,250 below average).

Private School Cost: Ann Arbor vs Athens

Athens averages $300/year less for private school (3% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $3,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Athens is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,100/year vs $10,400/year in Ann Arbor. Religious schools run $7,000/year on the low end.

Ann Arbor

$10,400

avg tuition/year

$1,950 below national avg

Athens

$10,100

avg tuition/year

$2,250 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Ann Arbor	Athens	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$10,400/yr	$10,100/yr	+$300
Religious Schools	$7,200/yr	$7,000/yr	+$200
Independent/Prep	$22,200/yr	$20,500/yr	+$1,700
Elementary (K-5)	$8,800/yr	$8,600/yr	+$200
Middle School (6-8)	$10,400/yr	$10,100/yr	+$300
High School (9-12)	$12,500/yr	$12,100/yr	+$400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Ann Arbor

$135,200

Athens

$131,300

Choosing Athens saves $3,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $7,800.

Sample Schools

Ann Arbor

Greenhills School

Independent · 6–12 · $24,800/yr

Father Gabriel Richard High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

Athens

Athens Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $18,200/yr

Prince Avenue Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $9,800-$12,200/yr

Full Ann Arbor breakdown → Full Athens 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.