Is private school cheaper in Ann Arbor or Cary?

Ann Arbor has lower average private school tuition at $10,400/year vs $11,500/year in Cary. That's $1,100/year less, or $14,300 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Ann Arbor is $1,100/year less than Cary. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $14,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,200/year in Ann Arbor, $8,100/year in Cary.

How do Ann Arbor and Cary 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). Cary averages $11,500/year ($850 below average).

Private School Cost: Ann Arbor vs Cary

Ann Arbor averages $1,100/year less for private school (11% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $14,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Ann Arbor is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,400/year vs $11,500/year in Cary. Religious schools run $7,200/year on the low end.

Ann Arbor

$10,400

avg tuition/year

$1,950 below national avg

Lower cost

Cary

$11,500

avg tuition/year

$850 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Ann Arbor	Cary	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$10,400/yr	$11,500/yr	-$1,100
Religious Schools	$7,200/yr	$8,100/yr	-$900
Independent/Prep	$22,200/yr	$24,100/yr	-$1,900
Elementary (K-5)	$8,800/yr	$9,800/yr	-$1,000
Middle School (6-8)	$10,400/yr	$11,500/yr	-$1,100
High School (9-12)	$12,500/yr	$13,800/yr	-$1,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Ann Arbor

$135,200

Cary

$149,500

Choosing Ann Arbor saves $14,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $28,600.

Sample Schools

Ann Arbor

Greenhills School

Independent · 6–12 · $24,800/yr

Father Gabriel Richard High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

Cary

Cary Academy

Independent · 6–12 · $25,800/yr

Thales Academy (Cary)

Independent · K–12 · $7,200-$9,400/yr

Full Ann Arbor breakdown → Full Cary breakdown →

Michigan private school costs North Carolina 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.