Is private school cheaper in Denver or Detroit?

Detroit has lower average private school tuition at $11,500/year vs $16,400/year in Denver. That's $4,900/year less, or $63,700 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Detroit is $4,900/year less than Denver. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $63,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,800/year in Denver, $7,600/year in Detroit.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Denver averages $16,400/year ($4,050 above average). Detroit averages $11,500/year ($850 below average).

Private School Cost: Denver vs Detroit

Detroit averages $4,900/year less for private school (43% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $63,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Detroit is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,500/year vs $16,400/year in Denver. Religious schools run $7,600/year on the low end.

Denver

$16,400

avg tuition/year

$4,050 above national avg

Detroit

$11,500

avg tuition/year

$850 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Denver	Detroit	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$16,400/yr	$11,500/yr	+$4,900
Religious Schools	$9,800/yr	$7,600/yr	+$2,200
Independent/Prep	$28,500/yr	$21,500/yr	+$7,000
Elementary (K-5)	$13,500/yr	$9,400/yr	+$4,100
Middle School (6-8)	$16,400/yr	$11,500/yr	+$4,900
High School (9-12)	$20,200/yr	$14,200/yr	+$6,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Denver

$213,200

Detroit

$149,500

Choosing Detroit saves $63,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $127,400.

Sample Schools

Denver

Kent Denver School

Independent · 6–12 · $35,200-$37,800/yr

Colorado Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $33,800-$36,400/yr

Regis Jesuit High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,800/yr

Mullen High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,400/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 Denver breakdown → Full Detroit breakdown →

Colorado private school costs Michigan private school costs

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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.