Is private school cheaper in Ann Arbor or Lowell?

Ann Arbor has lower average private school tuition at $10,400/year vs $23,600/year in Lowell. That's $13,200/year less, or $171,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Ann Arbor is $13,200/year less than Lowell. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $171,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,200/year in Ann Arbor, $12,800/year in Lowell.

How do Ann Arbor and Lowell 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). Lowell averages $23,600/year ($11,250 above average).

Private School Cost: Ann Arbor vs Lowell

Ann Arbor averages $13,200/year less for private school (127% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $171,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Ann Arbor is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,400/year vs $23,600/year in Lowell. Religious schools run $7,200/year on the low end.

Ann Arbor

$10,400

avg tuition/year

$1,950 below national avg

Lower cost

Lowell

$23,600

avg tuition/year

$11,250 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Ann Arbor	Lowell	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$10,400/yr	$23,600/yr	-$13,200
Religious Schools	$7,200/yr	$12,800/yr	-$5,600
Independent/Prep	$22,200/yr	$48,100/yr	-$25,900
Elementary (K-5)	$8,800/yr	$20,100/yr	-$11,300
Middle School (6-8)	$10,400/yr	$23,600/yr	-$13,200
High School (9-12)	$12,500/yr	$28,300/yr	-$15,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Ann Arbor

$135,200

Lowell

$306,800

Choosing Ann Arbor saves $171,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $343,200.

Sample Schools

Ann Arbor

Greenhills School

Independent · 6–12 · $24,800/yr

Father Gabriel Richard High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

Lowell

Lowell Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

St. Michael Academy (Lowell)

Catholic · K–8 · $10,800-$12,800/yr

Full Ann Arbor breakdown → Full Lowell breakdown →

Michigan private school costs Massachusetts 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.