Is private school cheaper in Ann Arbor or New York City?

Ann Arbor has lower average private school tuition at $10,400/year vs $38,500/year in New York City. That's $28,100/year less, or $365,300 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Ann Arbor over New York City?

Average tuition in Ann Arbor is $28,100/year less than New York City. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $365,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,200/year in Ann Arbor, $17,500/year in New York City.

How do Ann Arbor and New York City 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). New York City averages $38,500/year ($26,150 above average).

Private School Cost: Ann Arbor vs New York City

Ann Arbor averages $28,100/year less for private school (270% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $365,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Ann Arbor is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,400/year vs $38,500/year in New York City. Religious schools run $7,200/year on the low end.

Ann Arbor

$10,400

avg tuition/year

$1,950 below national avg

Lower cost

New York City

$38,500

avg tuition/year

$26,150 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Ann Arbor	New York City	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$10,400/yr	$38,500/yr	-$28,100
Religious Schools	$7,200/yr	$17,500/yr	-$10,300
Independent/Prep	$22,200/yr	$58,000/yr	-$35,800
Elementary (K-5)	$8,800/yr	$32,000/yr	-$23,200
Middle School (6-8)	$10,400/yr	$38,500/yr	-$28,100
High School (9-12)	$12,500/yr	$48,000/yr	-$35,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Ann Arbor

$135,200

New York City

$500,500

Choosing Ann Arbor saves $365,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $730,600.

Sample Schools

Ann Arbor

Greenhills School

Independent · 6–12 · $24,800/yr

Father Gabriel Richard High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

New York City

Dalton School

Independent · K–12 · $60,310/yr

Trinity School NYC

Independent · K–12 · $59,900/yr

Horace Mann School

Independent · K–12 · $59,200/yr

Regis High School

Catholic (tuition-free) · 9–12

Full Ann Arbor breakdown → Full New York City breakdown →

Michigan private school costs New York private school costs

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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.