Is private school cheaper in Austin or Detroit?

Detroit has lower average private school tuition at $11,500/year vs $15,500/year in Austin. That's $4,000/year less, or $52,000 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Detroit over Austin?

Average tuition in Detroit is $4,000/year less than Austin. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $52,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,400/year in Austin, $7,600/year in Detroit.

How do Austin and Detroit private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Austin averages $15,500/year ($3,150 above average). Detroit averages $11,500/year ($850 below average).

Private School Cost: Austin vs Detroit

Detroit averages $4,000/year less for private school (35% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $52,000 per child.

Bottom Line

Detroit is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,500/year vs $15,500/year in Austin. Religious schools run $7,600/year on the low end.

Austin

$15,500

avg tuition/year

$3,150 above national avg

Detroit

$11,500

avg tuition/year

$850 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Austin	Detroit	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$15,500/yr	$11,500/yr	+$4,000
Religious Schools	$9,400/yr	$7,600/yr	+$1,800
Independent/Prep	$28,200/yr	$21,500/yr	+$6,700
Elementary (K-5)	$12,800/yr	$9,400/yr	+$3,400
Middle School (6-8)	$15,500/yr	$11,500/yr	+$4,000
High School (9-12)	$19,200/yr	$14,200/yr	+$5,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Austin

$201,500

Detroit

$149,500

Choosing Detroit saves $52,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $104,000.

Sample Schools

Austin

St. Andrew's Episcopal School (Austin)

Independent · PK–12 · $32,800-$35,400/yr

Austin Preparatory School

Catholic · 6–12 · $14,200/yr

St. Michael's Catholic Academy

Catholic · 9–12 · $15,800/yr

Hyde Park Baptist School

Christian · PK–12 · $13,400-$15,200/yr

Detroit

Cranbrook Kingswood School

Independent · PK–12 · $34,200-$36,800/yr

University of Detroit Jesuit High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,200/yr

Brother Rice High School (Detroit)

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,800/yr

Mercy High School (Farmington Hills)

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,200/yr

Full Austin breakdown → Full Detroit breakdown →

Texas private school costs Michigan private school costs

Related Comparisons

Houston vs Austin → Dallas vs Austin → Austin vs San Antonio → Austin vs Raleigh →

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.