Is private school cheaper in Ann Arbor or Fresno?

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

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

Average tuition in Ann Arbor is $100/year less than Fresno. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $1,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,200/year in Ann Arbor, $7,000/year in Fresno.

How do Ann Arbor and Fresno 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). Fresno averages $10,500/year ($1,850 below average).

Private School Cost: Ann Arbor vs Fresno

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

Bottom Line

Ann Arbor is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,400/year vs $10,500/year in Fresno. Religious schools run $7,000/year on the low end.

Ann Arbor

$10,400

avg tuition/year

$1,950 below national avg

Lower cost

Fresno

$10,500

avg tuition/year

$1,850 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Ann Arbor	Fresno	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$10,400/yr	$10,500/yr	-$100
Religious Schools	$7,200/yr	$7,000/yr	+$200
Independent/Prep	$22,200/yr	$19,500/yr	+$2,700
Elementary (K-5)	$8,800/yr	$8,600/yr	+$200
Middle School (6-8)	$10,400/yr	$10,500/yr	-$100
High School (9-12)	$12,500/yr	$12,900/yr	-$400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Ann Arbor

$135,200

Fresno

$136,500

Choosing Ann Arbor saves $1,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $2,600.

Sample Schools

Ann Arbor

Greenhills School

Independent · 6–12 · $24,800/yr

Father Gabriel Richard High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

Fresno

Clovis Christian Schools

Christian · K–12 · $9,200-$10,800/yr

Central High School (Fresno) (Catholic)

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,800/yr

Bullard Talent School

Magnet (Free) · K–8

Fresno Christian Schools

Christian · K–12 · $9,800-$11,400/yr

Full Ann Arbor breakdown → Full Fresno breakdown →

Michigan private school costs California 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.