Is private school cheaper in Ann Arbor or San Diego?

Ann Arbor has lower average private school tuition at $10,400/year vs $21,200/year in San Diego. That's $10,800/year less, or $140,400 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Ann Arbor is $10,800/year less than San Diego. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $140,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,200/year in Ann Arbor, $11,500/year in San Diego.

How do Ann Arbor and San Diego 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). San Diego averages $21,200/year ($8,850 above average).

Private School Cost: Ann Arbor vs San Diego

Ann Arbor averages $10,800/year less for private school (104% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $140,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Ann Arbor is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,400/year vs $21,200/year in San Diego. Religious schools run $7,200/year on the low end.

Ann Arbor

$10,400

avg tuition/year

$1,950 below national avg

Lower cost

San Diego

$21,200

avg tuition/year

$8,850 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Ann Arbor	San Diego	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$10,400/yr	$21,200/yr	-$10,800
Religious Schools	$7,200/yr	$11,500/yr	-$4,300
Independent/Prep	$22,200/yr	$36,500/yr	-$14,300
Elementary (K-5)	$8,800/yr	$17,500/yr	-$8,700
Middle School (6-8)	$10,400/yr	$21,200/yr	-$10,800
High School (9-12)	$12,500/yr	$26,000/yr	-$13,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Ann Arbor

$135,200

San Diego

$275,600

Choosing Ann Arbor saves $140,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $280,800.

Sample Schools

Ann Arbor

Greenhills School

Independent · 6–12 · $24,800/yr

Father Gabriel Richard High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

San Diego

Bishop's School

Independent · 7–12 · $43,200/yr

La Jolla Country Day School

Independent · PK–12 · $38,800-$41,200/yr

Francis Parker School

Independent · K–12 · $36,400-$38,800/yr

Cathedral Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $19,800/yr

Full Ann Arbor breakdown → Full San Diego breakdown →

Michigan private school costs California private school costs

Related Comparisons

Los Angeles vs San Diego →

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.