Is private school cheaper in Ann Arbor or Tacoma?

Ann Arbor has lower average private school tuition at $10,400/year vs $13,700/year in Tacoma. That's $3,300/year less, or $42,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Ann Arbor is $3,300/year less than Tacoma. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $42,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,200/year in Ann Arbor, $9,400/year in Tacoma.

How do Ann Arbor and Tacoma 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). Tacoma averages $13,700/year ($1,350 above average).

Private School Cost: Ann Arbor vs Tacoma

Ann Arbor averages $3,300/year less for private school (32% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $42,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Ann Arbor is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,400/year vs $13,700/year in Tacoma. Religious schools run $7,200/year on the low end.

Ann Arbor

$10,400

avg tuition/year

$1,950 below national avg

Lower cost

Tacoma

$13,700

avg tuition/year

$1,350 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Ann Arbor	Tacoma	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$10,400/yr	$13,700/yr	-$3,300
Religious Schools	$7,200/yr	$9,400/yr	-$2,200
Independent/Prep	$22,200/yr	$29,400/yr	-$7,200
Elementary (K-5)	$8,800/yr	$11,600/yr	-$2,800
Middle School (6-8)	$10,400/yr	$13,700/yr	-$3,300
High School (9-12)	$12,500/yr	$16,400/yr	-$3,900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Ann Arbor

$135,200

Tacoma

$178,100

Choosing Ann Arbor saves $42,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $85,800.

Sample Schools

Ann Arbor

Greenhills School

Independent · 6–12 · $24,800/yr

Father Gabriel Richard High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

Tacoma

Charles Wright Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $28,400/yr

Bellarmine Preparatory School

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,400/yr

Full Ann Arbor breakdown → Full Tacoma breakdown →

Michigan private school costs Washington 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.