Is private school cheaper in Clearwater or Detroit?

Clearwater has lower average private school tuition at $10,200/year vs $11,500/year in Detroit. That's $1,300/year less, or $16,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Clearwater is $1,300/year less than Detroit. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $16,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,100/year in Clearwater, $7,600/year in Detroit.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Clearwater averages $10,200/year ($2,150 below average). Detroit averages $11,500/year ($850 below average).

Private School Cost: Clearwater vs Detroit

Clearwater averages $1,300/year less for private school (13% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $16,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Clearwater is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,200/year vs $11,500/year in Detroit. Religious schools run $7,100/year on the low end.

Clearwater

$10,200

avg tuition/year

$2,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Detroit

$11,500

avg tuition/year

$850 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Clearwater	Detroit	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$10,200/yr	$11,500/yr	-$1,300
Religious Schools	$7,100/yr	$7,600/yr	-$500
Independent/Prep	$21,100/yr	$21,500/yr	-$400
Elementary (K-5)	$8,700/yr	$9,400/yr	-$700
Middle School (6-8)	$10,200/yr	$11,500/yr	-$1,300
High School (9-12)	$12,200/yr	$14,200/yr	-$2,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Clearwater

$132,600

Detroit

$149,500

Choosing Clearwater saves $16,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $33,800.

Sample Schools

Clearwater

Calvary Christian Academy (Clearwater)

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

Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy

Independent (Episcopal) · PK–12 · $14,200/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 Clearwater breakdown → Full Detroit breakdown →

Florida 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.