Is private school cheaper in Ann Arbor or Boston?

Ann Arbor has lower average private school tuition at $10,400/year vs $36,800/year in Boston. That's $26,400/year less, or $343,200 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Ann Arbor is $26,400/year less than Boston. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $343,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,200/year in Ann Arbor, $18,500/year in Boston.

How do Ann Arbor and Boston 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). Boston averages $36,800/year ($24,450 above average).

Private School Cost: Ann Arbor vs Boston

Ann Arbor averages $26,400/year less for private school (254% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $343,200 per child.

Bottom Line

Ann Arbor is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,400/year vs $36,800/year in Boston. Religious schools run $7,200/year on the low end.

Ann Arbor

$10,400

avg tuition/year

$1,950 below national avg

Lower cost

Boston

$36,800

avg tuition/year

$24,450 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Ann Arbor	Boston	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$10,400/yr	$36,800/yr	-$26,400
Religious Schools	$7,200/yr	$18,500/yr	-$11,300
Independent/Prep	$22,200/yr	$56,000/yr	-$33,800
Elementary (K-5)	$8,800/yr	$30,000/yr	-$21,200
Middle School (6-8)	$10,400/yr	$36,800/yr	-$26,400
High School (9-12)	$12,500/yr	$46,000/yr	-$33,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Ann Arbor

$135,200

Boston

$478,400

Choosing Ann Arbor saves $343,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $686,400.

Sample Schools

Ann Arbor

Greenhills School

Independent · 6–12 · $24,800/yr

Father Gabriel Richard High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

Boston

Boston Latin School (Exam)

Exam School (Public) · 7–12

Roxbury Latin School

Independent (need-based) · 7–12

Belmont Hill School

Independent · 7–12 · $59,800/yr

Boston College High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $23,100/yr

Full Ann Arbor breakdown → Full Boston breakdown →

Michigan private school costs Massachusetts private school costs

Related Comparisons

New York vs Boston → Boston vs Phoenix → Boston vs Philadelphia →

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.