Is private school cheaper in Ann Arbor or Trenton?

Ann Arbor has lower average private school tuition at $10,400/year vs $16,800/year in Trenton. That's $6,400/year less, or $83,200 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Ann Arbor is $6,400/year less than Trenton. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $83,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,200/year in Ann Arbor, $10,800/year in Trenton.

How do Ann Arbor and Trenton 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). Trenton averages $16,800/year ($4,450 above average).

Private School Cost: Ann Arbor vs Trenton

Ann Arbor averages $6,400/year less for private school (62% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $83,200 per child.

Bottom Line

Ann Arbor is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,400/year vs $16,800/year in Trenton. Religious schools run $7,200/year on the low end.

Ann Arbor

$10,400

avg tuition/year

$1,950 below national avg

Lower cost

Trenton

$16,800

avg tuition/year

$4,450 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Ann Arbor	Trenton	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$10,400/yr	$16,800/yr	-$6,400
Religious Schools	$7,200/yr	$10,800/yr	-$3,600
Independent/Prep	$22,200/yr	$35,800/yr	-$13,600
Elementary (K-5)	$8,800/yr	$14,300/yr	-$5,500
Middle School (6-8)	$10,400/yr	$16,800/yr	-$6,400
High School (9-12)	$12,500/yr	$20,200/yr	-$7,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Ann Arbor

$135,200

Trenton

$218,400

Choosing Ann Arbor saves $83,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $166,400.

Sample Schools

Ann Arbor

Greenhills School

Independent · 6–12 · $24,800/yr

Father Gabriel Richard High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

Trenton

Notre Dame High School (Trenton NJ)

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,200/yr

Trenton Catholic Academy

Catholic · K–12 · $12,400/yr

Full Ann Arbor breakdown → Full Trenton breakdown →

Michigan private school costs New Jersey 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.