Is private school cheaper in Ann Arbor or Mesa?

Mesa has lower average private school tuition at $9,400/year vs $10,400/year in Ann Arbor. That's $1,000/year less, or $13,000 over a K-12 career.

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

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

How do Ann Arbor and Mesa 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). Mesa averages $9,400/year ($2,950 below average).

Private School Cost: Ann Arbor vs Mesa

Mesa averages $1,000/year less for private school (11% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $13,000 per child.

Bottom Line

Mesa is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,400/year vs $10,400/year in Ann Arbor. Religious schools run $7,000/year on the low end.

Ann Arbor

$10,400

avg tuition/year

$1,950 below national avg

Mesa

$9,400

avg tuition/year

$2,950 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Ann Arbor	Mesa	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$10,400/yr	$9,400/yr	+$1,000
Religious Schools	$7,200/yr	$7,000/yr	+$200
Independent/Prep	$22,200/yr	$18,000/yr	+$4,200
Elementary (K-5)	$8,800/yr	$8,000/yr	+$800
Middle School (6-8)	$10,400/yr	$9,400/yr	+$1,000
High School (9-12)	$12,500/yr	$11,300/yr	+$1,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Ann Arbor

$135,200

Mesa

$122,200

Choosing Mesa saves $13,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $26,000.

Sample Schools

Ann Arbor

Greenhills School

Independent · 6–12 · $24,800/yr

Father Gabriel Richard High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

Mesa

Gilbert Christian Schools

Christian · K–12 · $9,800-$12,400/yr

Mesa Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $8,600-$10,800/yr

Full Ann Arbor breakdown → Full Mesa breakdown →

Michigan private school costs Arizona 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.