Is private school cheaper in Detroit or Jersey City?

Detroit has lower average private school tuition at $11,500/year vs $20,900/year in Jersey City. That's $9,400/year less, or $122,200 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Detroit is $9,400/year less than Jersey City. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $122,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,600/year in Detroit, $13,500/year in Jersey City.

How do Detroit and Jersey City 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). Jersey City averages $20,900/year ($8,550 above average).

Private School Cost: Detroit vs Jersey City

Detroit averages $9,400/year less for private school (82% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $122,200 per child.

Bottom Line

Detroit is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,500/year vs $20,900/year in Jersey City. Religious schools run $7,600/year on the low end.

Detroit

$11,500

avg tuition/year

$850 below national avg

Lower cost

Jersey City

$20,900

avg tuition/year

$8,550 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Detroit	Jersey City	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,500/yr	$20,900/yr	-$9,400
Religious Schools	$7,600/yr	$13,500/yr	-$5,900
Independent/Prep	$21,500/yr	$44,800/yr	-$23,300
Elementary (K-5)	$9,400/yr	$17,800/yr	-$8,400
Middle School (6-8)	$11,500/yr	$20,900/yr	-$9,400
High School (9-12)	$14,200/yr	$25,100/yr	-$10,900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Detroit

$149,500

Jersey City

$271,700

Choosing Detroit saves $122,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $244,400.

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

Jersey City

Hudson Catholic Regional High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Saint Aloysius Academy (Jersey City)

Catholic · K–8 · $10,800-$12,800/yr

Full Detroit breakdown → Full Jersey City breakdown →

Michigan private school costs New Jersey 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.