Is private school cheaper in Ann Arbor or Burlington?

Ann Arbor has lower average private school tuition at $10,400/year vs $18,200/year in Burlington. That's $7,800/year less, or $101,400 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Ann Arbor is $7,800/year less than Burlington. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $101,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,200/year in Ann Arbor, $11,000/year in Burlington.

How do Ann Arbor and Burlington 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). Burlington averages $18,200/year ($5,850 above average).

Private School Cost: Ann Arbor vs Burlington

Ann Arbor averages $7,800/year less for private school (75% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $101,400 per child.

Bottom Line

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

Ann Arbor

$10,400

avg tuition/year

$1,950 below national avg

Lower cost

Burlington

$18,200

avg tuition/year

$5,850 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Ann Arbor	Burlington	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$10,400/yr	$18,200/yr	-$7,800
Religious Schools	$7,200/yr	$11,000/yr	-$3,800
Independent/Prep	$22,200/yr	$39,800/yr	-$17,600
Elementary (K-5)	$8,800/yr	$15,500/yr	-$6,700
Middle School (6-8)	$10,400/yr	$18,200/yr	-$7,800
High School (9-12)	$12,500/yr	$21,800/yr	-$9,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Ann Arbor

$135,200

Burlington

$236,600

Choosing Ann Arbor saves $101,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $202,800.

Sample Schools

Ann Arbor

Greenhills School

Independent · 6–12 · $24,800/yr

Father Gabriel Richard High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

Burlington

Rice Memorial High School (Burlington VT)

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,200/yr

Champlain Valley Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Full Ann Arbor breakdown → Full Burlington breakdown →

Michigan private school costs Vermont 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.