Is private school cheaper in Dallas or Grand Rapids?

Grand Rapids has lower average private school tuition at $9,300/year vs $17,200/year in Dallas. That's $7,900/year less, or $102,700 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Grand Rapids is $7,900/year less than Dallas. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $102,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,500/year in Dallas, $6,400/year in Grand Rapids.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Dallas averages $17,200/year ($4,850 above average). Grand Rapids averages $9,300/year ($3,050 below average).

Private School Cost: Dallas vs Grand Rapids

Grand Rapids averages $7,900/year less for private school (85% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $102,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Grand Rapids is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,300/year vs $17,200/year in Dallas. Religious schools run $6,400/year on the low end.

Dallas

$17,200

avg tuition/year

$4,850 above national avg

Grand Rapids

$9,300

avg tuition/year

$3,050 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Dallas	Grand Rapids	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$17,200/yr	$9,300/yr	+$7,900
Religious Schools	$9,500/yr	$6,400/yr	+$3,100
Independent/Prep	$30,000/yr	$19,800/yr	+$10,200
Elementary (K-5)	$14,000/yr	$7,900/yr	+$6,100
Middle School (6-8)	$17,200/yr	$9,300/yr	+$7,900
High School (9-12)	$21,000/yr	$11,200/yr	+$9,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Dallas

$223,600

Grand Rapids

$120,900

Choosing Grand Rapids saves $102,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $205,400.

Sample Schools

Dallas

Greenhill School

Independent · PK–12 · $38,400-$41,200/yr

St. Mark's School of Texas

Independent · 1–12 · $38,200/yr

Hockaday School

Independent · PK–12 · $39,800/yr

Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas

Catholic · 9–12 · $21,800/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 Dallas breakdown → Full Grand Rapids breakdown →

Texas private school costs Michigan private school costs

Related Comparisons

Houston vs Dallas → Dallas vs Austin → Dallas vs San Antonio → Fort Worth vs Dallas →

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.