Is private school cheaper in Ann Arbor or Plano?

Ann Arbor has lower average private school tuition at $10,400/year vs $12,800/year in Plano. That's $2,400/year less, or $31,200 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Ann Arbor is $2,400/year less than Plano. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $31,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,200/year in Ann Arbor, $8,700/year in Plano.

How do Ann Arbor and Plano 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). Plano averages $12,800/year ($450 above average).

Private School Cost: Ann Arbor vs Plano

Ann Arbor averages $2,400/year less for private school (23% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $31,200 per child.

Bottom Line

Ann Arbor is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,400/year vs $12,800/year in Plano. Religious schools run $7,200/year on the low end.

Ann Arbor

$10,400

avg tuition/year

$1,950 below national avg

Lower cost

Plano

$12,800

avg tuition/year

$450 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Ann Arbor	Plano	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$10,400/yr	$12,800/yr	-$2,400
Religious Schools	$7,200/yr	$8,700/yr	-$1,500
Independent/Prep	$22,200/yr	$27,100/yr	-$4,900
Elementary (K-5)	$8,800/yr	$10,900/yr	-$2,100
Middle School (6-8)	$10,400/yr	$12,800/yr	-$2,400
High School (9-12)	$12,500/yr	$15,400/yr	-$2,900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Ann Arbor

$135,200

Plano

$166,400

Choosing Ann Arbor saves $31,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $62,400.

Sample Schools

Ann Arbor

Greenhills School

Independent · 6–12 · $24,800/yr

Father Gabriel Richard High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

Plano

Prestonwood Christian Academy

Christian · PK–12 · $18,200/yr

Parish Episcopal School (Plano)

Independent · PK–12 · $24,800/yr

St. Mark the Evangelist School

Catholic · K–8 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

Full Ann Arbor breakdown → Full Plano breakdown →

Michigan private school costs Texas 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.