Private School Cost: Detroit vs Irvine
Detroit averages $8,900/year less for private school (77% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $115,700 per child.
Bottom Line
Detroit is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,500/year vs $20,400/year in Irvine. Religious schools run $7,600/year on the low end.
Detroit
MI
$11,500
avg tuition/year
Irvine
CA
$20,400
avg tuition/year
Tuition by School Type & Grade
| Category | Detroit | Irvine | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Schools (Average) | $11,500/yr | $20,400/yr | -$8,900 |
| Religious Schools | $7,600/yr | $13,300/yr | -$5,700 |
| Independent/Prep | $21,500/yr | $39,700/yr | -$18,200 |
| Elementary (K-5) | $9,400/yr | $17,300/yr | -$7,900 |
| Middle School (6-8) | $11,500/yr | $20,400/yr | -$8,900 |
| High School (9-12) | $14,200/yr | $24,500/yr | -$10,300 |
K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)
Detroit
$149,500
Irvine
$265,200
Choosing Detroit saves $115,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $231,400.
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
Irvine
Sage Hill School
Independent · 9–12 · $45,200/yr
Woodbridge Village Christian School
Christian · K–12 · $16,800/yr
Our Lady Queen of Angels School
Catholic · K–8 · $10,400-$12,200/yr
Related Comparisons
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.