Is private school cheaper in Ann Arbor or Paterson?

Ann Arbor has lower average private school tuition at $10,400/year vs $18,100/year in Paterson. That's $7,700/year less, or $100,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Ann Arbor is $7,700/year less than Paterson. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $100,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,200/year in Ann Arbor, $11,700/year in Paterson.

How do Ann Arbor and Paterson 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). Paterson averages $18,100/year ($5,750 above average).

Private School Cost: Ann Arbor vs Paterson

Ann Arbor averages $7,700/year less for private school (74% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $100,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Ann Arbor is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,400/year vs $18,100/year in Paterson. Religious schools run $7,200/year on the low end.

Ann Arbor

$10,400

avg tuition/year

$1,950 below national avg

Lower cost

Paterson

$18,100

avg tuition/year

$5,750 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Ann Arbor	Paterson	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$10,400/yr	$18,100/yr	-$7,700
Religious Schools	$7,200/yr	$11,700/yr	-$4,500
Independent/Prep	$22,200/yr	$38,700/yr	-$16,500
Elementary (K-5)	$8,800/yr	$15,400/yr	-$6,600
Middle School (6-8)	$10,400/yr	$18,100/yr	-$7,700
High School (9-12)	$12,500/yr	$21,700/yr	-$9,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Ann Arbor

$135,200

Paterson

$235,300

Choosing Ann Arbor saves $100,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $200,200.

Sample Schools

Ann Arbor

Greenhills School

Independent · 6–12 · $24,800/yr

Father Gabriel Richard High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

Paterson

Paramus Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $15,800/yr

St. Philip the Apostle School

Catholic · K–8 · $10,200-$12,400/yr

Full Ann Arbor breakdown → Full Paterson breakdown →

Michigan private school costs New Jersey 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.