Is private school cheaper in Ann Arbor or Scranton?

Ann Arbor has lower average private school tuition at $10,400/year vs $12,200/year in Scranton. That's $1,800/year less, or $23,400 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Ann Arbor is $1,800/year less than Scranton. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $23,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,200/year in Ann Arbor, $7,800/year in Scranton.

How do Ann Arbor and Scranton 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). Scranton averages $12,200/year ($150 below average).

Private School Cost: Ann Arbor vs Scranton

Ann Arbor averages $1,800/year less for private school (17% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $23,400 per child.

Bottom Line

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

Ann Arbor

$10,400

avg tuition/year

$1,950 below national avg

Lower cost

Scranton

$12,200

avg tuition/year

$150 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Ann Arbor	Scranton	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$10,400/yr	$12,200/yr	-$1,800
Religious Schools	$7,200/yr	$7,800/yr	-$600
Independent/Prep	$22,200/yr	$28,300/yr	-$6,100
Elementary (K-5)	$8,800/yr	$10,400/yr	-$1,600
Middle School (6-8)	$10,400/yr	$12,200/yr	-$1,800
High School (9-12)	$12,500/yr	$14,600/yr	-$2,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Ann Arbor

$135,200

Scranton

$158,600

Choosing Ann Arbor saves $23,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $46,800.

Sample Schools

Ann Arbor

Greenhills School

Independent · 6–12 · $24,800/yr

Father Gabriel Richard High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

Scranton

Holy Cross High School (Dunmore)

Catholic · 9–12 · $11,200/yr

Wyoming Seminary

Independent · 9–12 · $36,800-$42,000/yr

Full Ann Arbor breakdown → Full Scranton breakdown →

Michigan private school costs Pennsylvania 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.