Is private school cheaper in Bellevue or Grand Rapids?

Grand Rapids has lower average private school tuition at $9,300/year vs $18,600/year in Bellevue. That's $9,300/year less, or $120,900 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Grand Rapids over Bellevue?

Average tuition in Grand Rapids is $9,300/year less than Bellevue. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $120,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $12,700/year in Bellevue, $6,400/year in Grand Rapids.

How do Bellevue and Grand Rapids private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Bellevue averages $18,600/year ($6,250 above average). Grand Rapids averages $9,300/year ($3,050 below average).

Private School Cost: Bellevue vs Grand Rapids

Grand Rapids averages $9,300/year less for private school (100% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $120,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Grand Rapids is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,300/year vs $18,600/year in Bellevue. Religious schools run $6,400/year on the low end.

Bellevue

$18,600

avg tuition/year

$6,250 above national avg

Grand Rapids

$9,300

avg tuition/year

$3,050 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Bellevue	Grand Rapids	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,600/yr	$9,300/yr	+$9,300
Religious Schools	$12,700/yr	$6,400/yr	+$6,300
Independent/Prep	$39,700/yr	$19,800/yr	+$19,900
Elementary (K-5)	$15,800/yr	$7,900/yr	+$7,900
Middle School (6-8)	$18,600/yr	$9,300/yr	+$9,300
High School (9-12)	$22,300/yr	$11,200/yr	+$11,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Bellevue

$241,800

Grand Rapids

$120,900

Choosing Grand Rapids saves $120,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $241,800.

Sample Schools

Bellevue

The Overlake School

Independent · 5–12 · $37,800/yr

Bellevue Christian School

Christian · PK–12 · $14,200/yr

Bellarmine Preparatory School (Tacoma)

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,400/yr

Grand Rapids

West Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $11,400/yr

Christian High School (Grand Rapids)

Christian · 9–12 · $11,200/yr

Northpointe Christian Schools

Christian · PK–12 · $10,400-$12,800/yr

Full Bellevue breakdown → Full Grand Rapids breakdown →

Washington 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.