Is private school cheaper in Carlsbad or Detroit?

Detroit has lower average private school tuition at $11,500/year vs $18,800/year in Carlsbad. That's $7,300/year less, or $94,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Detroit is $7,300/year less than Carlsbad. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $94,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $12,200/year in Carlsbad, $7,600/year in Detroit.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Carlsbad averages $18,800/year ($6,450 above average). Detroit averages $11,500/year ($850 below average).

Private School Cost: Carlsbad vs Detroit

Detroit averages $7,300/year less for private school (63% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $94,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Detroit is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,500/year vs $18,800/year in Carlsbad. Religious schools run $7,600/year on the low end.

Carlsbad

$18,800

avg tuition/year

$6,450 above national avg

Detroit

$11,500

avg tuition/year

$850 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Carlsbad	Detroit	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,800/yr	$11,500/yr	+$7,300
Religious Schools	$12,200/yr	$7,600/yr	+$4,600
Independent/Prep	$36,600/yr	$21,500/yr	+$15,100
Elementary (K-5)	$16,000/yr	$9,400/yr	+$6,600
Middle School (6-8)	$18,800/yr	$11,500/yr	+$7,300
High School (9-12)	$22,600/yr	$14,200/yr	+$8,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Carlsbad

$244,400

Detroit

$149,500

Choosing Detroit saves $94,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $189,800.

Sample Schools

Carlsbad

Army Navy Academy (Carlsbad)

Independent (Military) · 7–12 · $47,500-$52,000/yr

Pacific Ridge School

Independent · 6–12 · $34,200/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 Carlsbad breakdown → Full Detroit breakdown →

California 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.