Is private school cheaper in Boston or Detroit?

Detroit has lower average private school tuition at $11,500/year vs $36,800/year in Boston. That's $25,300/year less, or $328,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Detroit is $25,300/year less than Boston. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $328,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $18,500/year in Boston, $7,600/year in Detroit.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Boston averages $36,800/year ($24,450 above average). Detroit averages $11,500/year ($850 below average).

Private School Cost: Boston vs Detroit

Detroit averages $25,300/year less for private school (220% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $328,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Detroit is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,500/year vs $36,800/year in Boston. Religious schools run $7,600/year on the low end.

Boston

$36,800

avg tuition/year

$24,450 above national avg

Detroit

$11,500

avg tuition/year

$850 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Boston	Detroit	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$36,800/yr	$11,500/yr	+$25,300
Religious Schools	$18,500/yr	$7,600/yr	+$10,900
Independent/Prep	$56,000/yr	$21,500/yr	+$34,500
Elementary (K-5)	$30,000/yr	$9,400/yr	+$20,600
Middle School (6-8)	$36,800/yr	$11,500/yr	+$25,300
High School (9-12)	$46,000/yr	$14,200/yr	+$31,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Boston

$478,400

Detroit

$149,500

Choosing Detroit saves $328,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $657,800.

Sample Schools

Boston

Boston Latin School (Exam)

Exam School (Public) · 7–12

Roxbury Latin School

Independent (need-based) · 7–12

Belmont Hill School

Independent · 7–12 · $59,800/yr

Boston College High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $23,100/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 Boston breakdown → Full Detroit breakdown →

Massachusetts private school costs Michigan private school costs

Related Comparisons

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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.