Is private school cheaper in Detroit or Greenville?

Greenville has lower average private school tuition at $8,500/year vs $11,500/year in Detroit. That's $3,000/year less, or $39,000 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Greenville is $3,000/year less than Detroit. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $39,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,600/year in Detroit, $6,200/year in Greenville.

How do Detroit and Greenville 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). Greenville averages $8,500/year ($3,850 below average).

Private School Cost: Detroit vs Greenville

Greenville averages $3,000/year less for private school (35% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $39,000 per child.

Bottom Line

Greenville is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,500/year vs $11,500/year in Detroit. Religious schools run $6,200/year on the low end.

Detroit

$11,500

avg tuition/year

$850 below national avg

Greenville

$8,500

avg tuition/year

$3,850 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Detroit	Greenville	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,500/yr	$8,500/yr	+$3,000
Religious Schools	$7,600/yr	$6,200/yr	+$1,400
Independent/Prep	$21,500/yr	$17,600/yr	+$3,900
Elementary (K-5)	$9,400/yr	$7,200/yr	+$2,200
Middle School (6-8)	$11,500/yr	$8,500/yr	+$3,000
High School (9-12)	$14,200/yr	$10,200/yr	+$4,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Detroit

$149,500

Greenville

$110,500

Choosing Greenville saves $39,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $78,000.

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

Greenville

Greenville Technical Charter High School (Private Prep)

Independent · 9–12 · $10,800/yr

Bob Jones Academy (Greenville)

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Full Detroit breakdown → Full Greenville breakdown →

Michigan private school costs South Carolina 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.