Is private school cheaper in Detroit or Frederick?

Detroit has lower average private school tuition at $11,500/year vs $16,700/year in Frederick. That's $5,200/year less, or $67,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Detroit is $5,200/year less than Frederick. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $67,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,600/year in Detroit, $11,300/year in Frederick.

How do Detroit and Frederick 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). Frederick averages $16,700/year ($4,350 above average).

Private School Cost: Detroit vs Frederick

Detroit averages $5,200/year less for private school (45% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $67,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Detroit is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,500/year vs $16,700/year in Frederick. Religious schools run $7,600/year on the low end.

Detroit

$11,500

avg tuition/year

$850 below national avg

Lower cost

Frederick

$16,700

avg tuition/year

$4,350 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Detroit	Frederick	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,500/yr	$16,700/yr	-$5,200
Religious Schools	$7,600/yr	$11,300/yr	-$3,700
Independent/Prep	$21,500/yr	$35,100/yr	-$13,600
Elementary (K-5)	$9,400/yr	$14,200/yr	-$4,800
Middle School (6-8)	$11,500/yr	$16,700/yr	-$5,200
High School (9-12)	$14,200/yr	$20,000/yr	-$5,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Detroit

$149,500

Frederick

$217,100

Choosing Detroit saves $67,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $135,200.

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

Frederick

Frederick Classical Charter School (Private Prep)

Independent · K–12 · $11,200/yr

Visitation Academy (Frederick MD)

Catholic · PK–8 · $12,400/yr

Full Detroit breakdown → Full Frederick breakdown →

Michigan private school costs Maryland 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.