Is private school cheaper in Ann Arbor or Palmdale?

Ann Arbor has lower average private school tuition at $10,400/year vs $14,900/year in Palmdale. That's $4,500/year less, or $58,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Ann Arbor is $4,500/year less than Palmdale. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $58,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,200/year in Ann Arbor, $9,700/year in Palmdale.

How do Ann Arbor and Palmdale 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). Palmdale averages $14,900/year ($2,550 above average).

Private School Cost: Ann Arbor vs Palmdale

Ann Arbor averages $4,500/year less for private school (43% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $58,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Ann Arbor is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,400/year vs $14,900/year in Palmdale. Religious schools run $7,200/year on the low end.

Ann Arbor

$10,400

avg tuition/year

$1,950 below national avg

Lower cost

Palmdale

$14,900

avg tuition/year

$2,550 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Ann Arbor	Palmdale	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$10,400/yr	$14,900/yr	-$4,500
Religious Schools	$7,200/yr	$9,700/yr	-$2,500
Independent/Prep	$22,200/yr	$29,000/yr	-$6,800
Elementary (K-5)	$8,800/yr	$12,700/yr	-$3,900
Middle School (6-8)	$10,400/yr	$14,900/yr	-$4,500
High School (9-12)	$12,500/yr	$17,900/yr	-$5,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Ann Arbor

$135,200

Palmdale

$193,700

Choosing Ann Arbor saves $58,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $117,000.

Sample Schools

Ann Arbor

Greenhills School

Independent · 6–12 · $24,800/yr

Father Gabriel Richard High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

Palmdale

Palmdale Aerospace Academy (Private)

Independent · K–12 · $10,200/yr

St. Mary School (Palmdale)

Catholic · K–8 · $8,200-$9,800/yr

Full Ann Arbor breakdown → Full Palmdale 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.