Is private school cheaper in Ann Arbor or Cleveland?

Ann Arbor has lower average private school tuition at $10,400/year vs $11,200/year in Cleveland. That's $800/year less, or $10,400 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Ann Arbor is $800/year less than Cleveland. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $10,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,200/year in Ann Arbor, $7,400/year in Cleveland.

How do Ann Arbor and Cleveland 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). Cleveland averages $11,200/year ($1,150 below average).

Private School Cost: Ann Arbor vs Cleveland

Ann Arbor averages $800/year less for private school (8% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $10,400 per child.

Bottom Line

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

Ann Arbor

$10,400

avg tuition/year

$1,950 below national avg

Lower cost

Cleveland

$11,200

avg tuition/year

$1,150 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Ann Arbor	Cleveland	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$10,400/yr	$11,200/yr	-$800
Religious Schools	$7,200/yr	$7,400/yr	-$200
Independent/Prep	$22,200/yr	$21,000/yr	+$1,200
Elementary (K-5)	$8,800/yr	$9,200/yr	-$400
Middle School (6-8)	$10,400/yr	$11,200/yr	-$800
High School (9-12)	$12,500/yr	$13,800/yr	-$1,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Ann Arbor

$135,200

Cleveland

$145,600

Choosing Ann Arbor saves $10,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $20,800.

Sample Schools

Ann Arbor

Greenhills School

Independent · 6–12 · $24,800/yr

Father Gabriel Richard High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

Cleveland

University School (Cleveland)

Independent · JK–12 · $26,400-$28,800/yr

Laurel School (Cleveland)

Independent · PK–12 · $24,800-$27,200/yr

St. Ignatius High School (Cleveland)

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,800/yr

St. Edward High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,200/yr

Full Ann Arbor breakdown → Full Cleveland breakdown →

Michigan private school costs Ohio 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.