Is private school cheaper in Boulder or Detroit?

Detroit has lower average private school tuition at $11,500/year vs $15,200/year in Boulder. That's $3,700/year less, or $48,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Detroit is $3,700/year less than Boulder. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $48,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,900/year in Boulder, $7,600/year in Detroit.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Boulder averages $15,200/year ($2,850 above average). Detroit averages $11,500/year ($850 below average).

Private School Cost: Boulder vs Detroit

Detroit averages $3,700/year less for private school (32% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $48,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Detroit is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,500/year vs $15,200/year in Boulder. Religious schools run $7,600/year on the low end.

Boulder

$15,200

avg tuition/year

$2,850 above national avg

Detroit

$11,500

avg tuition/year

$850 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Boulder	Detroit	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$15,200/yr	$11,500/yr	+$3,700
Religious Schools	$9,900/yr	$7,600/yr	+$2,300
Independent/Prep	$29,900/yr	$21,500/yr	+$8,400
Elementary (K-5)	$12,900/yr	$9,400/yr	+$3,500
Middle School (6-8)	$15,200/yr	$11,500/yr	+$3,700
High School (9-12)	$18,200/yr	$14,200/yr	+$4,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Boulder

$197,600

Detroit

$149,500

Choosing Detroit saves $48,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $96,200.

Sample Schools

Boulder

Naropa University Lab School

Independent · K–8 · $18,400/yr

Dawson School

Independent · PK–12 · $26,800/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 Boulder breakdown → Full Detroit breakdown →

Colorado 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.