Is private school cheaper in Baltimore or Detroit?

Detroit has lower average private school tuition at $11,500/year vs $18,500/year in Baltimore. That's $7,000/year less, or $91,000 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Detroit is $7,000/year less than Baltimore. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $91,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $10,800/year in Baltimore, $7,600/year in Detroit.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Baltimore averages $18,500/year ($6,150 above average). Detroit averages $11,500/year ($850 below average).

Private School Cost: Baltimore vs Detroit

Detroit averages $7,000/year less for private school (61% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $91,000 per child.

Bottom Line

Detroit is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,500/year vs $18,500/year in Baltimore. Religious schools run $7,600/year on the low end.

Baltimore

$18,500

avg tuition/year

$6,150 above national avg

Detroit

$11,500

avg tuition/year

$850 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Baltimore	Detroit	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,500/yr	$11,500/yr	+$7,000
Religious Schools	$10,800/yr	$7,600/yr	+$3,200
Independent/Prep	$34,000/yr	$21,500/yr	+$12,500
Elementary (K-5)	$15,200/yr	$9,400/yr	+$5,800
Middle School (6-8)	$18,500/yr	$11,500/yr	+$7,000
High School (9-12)	$23,000/yr	$14,200/yr	+$8,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Baltimore

$240,500

Detroit

$149,500

Choosing Detroit saves $91,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $182,000.

Sample Schools

Baltimore

Gilman School

Independent · K–12 · $38,200-$40,800/yr

Roland Park Country School

Independent · K–12 · $36,800/yr

Calvert Hall College High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $19,400/yr

Loyola Blakefield

Catholic · 6–12 · $24,800/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 Baltimore breakdown → Full Detroit breakdown →

Maryland private school costs Michigan 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.