Is private school cheaper in Detroit or Erie?

Detroit has lower average private school tuition at $11,500/year vs $11,900/year in Erie. That's $400/year less, or $5,200 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Detroit is $400/year less than Erie. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $5,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,600/year in Detroit, $7,700/year in Erie.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Detroit averages $11,500/year ($850 below average). Erie averages $11,900/year ($450 below average).

Private School Cost: Detroit vs Erie

Detroit averages $400/year less for private school (3% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $5,200 per child.

Bottom Line

Detroit is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,500/year vs $11,900/year in Erie. Religious schools run $7,600/year on the low end.

Detroit

$11,500

avg tuition/year

$850 below national avg

Lower cost

Erie

$11,900

avg tuition/year

$450 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Detroit	Erie	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,500/yr	$11,900/yr	-$400
Religious Schools	$7,600/yr	$7,700/yr	-$100
Independent/Prep	$21,500/yr	$27,700/yr	-$6,200
Elementary (K-5)	$9,400/yr	$10,100/yr	-$700
Middle School (6-8)	$11,500/yr	$11,900/yr	-$400
High School (9-12)	$14,200/yr	$14,300/yr	-$100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Detroit

$149,500

Erie

$154,700

Choosing Detroit saves $5,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $10,400.

Sample Schools

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

Erie

Cathedral Preparatory School (Erie)

Catholic · 9–12 · $10,800/yr

Mercyhurst Preparatory School

Catholic · PK–12 · $12,400/yr

Full Detroit breakdown → Full Erie breakdown →

Michigan private school costs Pennsylvania 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.