Is private school cheaper in Ann Arbor or Santa Clarita?

Ann Arbor has lower average private school tuition at $10,400/year vs $18,000/year in Santa Clarita. That's $7,600/year less, or $98,800 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Ann Arbor is $7,600/year less than Santa Clarita. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $98,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,200/year in Ann Arbor, $11,700/year in Santa Clarita.

How do Ann Arbor and Santa Clarita 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). Santa Clarita averages $18,000/year ($5,650 above average).

Private School Cost: Ann Arbor vs Santa Clarita

Ann Arbor averages $7,600/year less for private school (73% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $98,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Ann Arbor is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,400/year vs $18,000/year in Santa Clarita. Religious schools run $7,200/year on the low end.

Ann Arbor

$10,400

avg tuition/year

$1,950 below national avg

Lower cost

Santa Clarita

$18,000

avg tuition/year

$5,650 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Ann Arbor	Santa Clarita	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$10,400/yr	$18,000/yr	-$7,600
Religious Schools	$7,200/yr	$11,700/yr	-$4,500
Independent/Prep	$22,200/yr	$35,100/yr	-$12,900
Elementary (K-5)	$8,800/yr	$15,300/yr	-$6,500
Middle School (6-8)	$10,400/yr	$18,000/yr	-$7,600
High School (9-12)	$12,500/yr	$21,600/yr	-$9,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Ann Arbor

$135,200

Santa Clarita

$234,000

Choosing Ann Arbor saves $98,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $197,600.

Sample Schools

Ann Arbor

Greenhills School

Independent · 6–12 · $24,800/yr

Father Gabriel Richard High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

Santa Clarita

The Masters School (Santa Clarita)

Christian · K–12 · $14,800/yr

West Ranch Academy

Independent · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

Full Ann Arbor breakdown → Full Santa Clarita 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.