Is private school cheaper in Ann Arbor or Frederick?

Ann Arbor has lower average private school tuition at $10,400/year vs $16,700/year in Frederick. That's $6,300/year less, or $81,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Ann Arbor is $6,300/year less than Frederick. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $81,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,200/year in Ann Arbor, $11,300/year in Frederick.

How do Ann Arbor and Frederick 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). Frederick averages $16,700/year ($4,350 above average).

Private School Cost: Ann Arbor vs Frederick

Ann Arbor averages $6,300/year less for private school (61% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $81,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Ann Arbor is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,400/year vs $16,700/year in Frederick. Religious schools run $7,200/year on the low end.

Ann Arbor

$10,400

avg tuition/year

$1,950 below national avg

Lower cost

Frederick

$16,700

avg tuition/year

$4,350 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Ann Arbor	Frederick	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$10,400/yr	$16,700/yr	-$6,300
Religious Schools	$7,200/yr	$11,300/yr	-$4,100
Independent/Prep	$22,200/yr	$35,100/yr	-$12,900
Elementary (K-5)	$8,800/yr	$14,200/yr	-$5,400
Middle School (6-8)	$10,400/yr	$16,700/yr	-$6,300
High School (9-12)	$12,500/yr	$20,000/yr	-$7,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Ann Arbor

$135,200

Frederick

$217,100

Choosing Ann Arbor saves $81,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $163,800.

Sample Schools

Ann Arbor

Greenhills School

Independent · 6–12 · $24,800/yr

Father Gabriel Richard High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

Frederick

Frederick Classical Charter School (Private Prep)

Independent · K–12 · $11,200/yr

Visitation Academy (Frederick MD)

Catholic · PK–8 · $12,400/yr

Full Ann Arbor breakdown → Full Frederick breakdown →

Michigan private school costs Maryland 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.