Is private school cheaper in Detroit or Fort Worth?

Detroit has lower average private school tuition at $11,500/year vs $13,500/year in Fort Worth. That's $2,000/year less, or $26,000 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Detroit is $2,000/year less than Fort Worth. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $26,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,600/year in Detroit, $8,800/year in Fort Worth.

How do Detroit and Fort Worth 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). Fort Worth averages $13,500/year ($1,150 above average).

Private School Cost: Detroit vs Fort Worth

Detroit averages $2,000/year less for private school (17% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $26,000 per child.

Bottom Line

Detroit is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,500/year vs $13,500/year in Fort Worth. Religious schools run $7,600/year on the low end.

Detroit

$11,500

avg tuition/year

$850 below national avg

Lower cost

Fort Worth

$13,500

avg tuition/year

$1,150 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Detroit	Fort Worth	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,500/yr	$13,500/yr	-$2,000
Religious Schools	$7,600/yr	$8,800/yr	-$1,200
Independent/Prep	$21,500/yr	$25,000/yr	-$3,500
Elementary (K-5)	$9,400/yr	$11,000/yr	-$1,600
Middle School (6-8)	$11,500/yr	$13,500/yr	-$2,000
High School (9-12)	$14,200/yr	$16,600/yr	-$2,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Detroit

$149,500

Fort Worth

$175,500

Choosing Detroit saves $26,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $52,000.

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

Fort Worth

Fort Worth Country Day School

Independent · PK–12 · $27,800-$30,200/yr

All Saints' Episcopal School

Independent · PK–12 · $26,400-$28,800/yr

Nolan Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Southwest Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $11,400-$13,200/yr

Full Detroit breakdown → Full Fort Worth breakdown →

Michigan private school costs Texas 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.