Is private school cheaper in Detroit or Lincoln?

Lincoln has lower average private school tuition at $7,200/year vs $11,500/year in Detroit. That's $4,300/year less, or $55,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Lincoln is $4,300/year less than Detroit. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $55,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,600/year in Detroit, $5,000/year in Lincoln.

How do Detroit and Lincoln 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). Lincoln averages $7,200/year ($5,150 below average).

Private School Cost: Detroit vs Lincoln

Lincoln averages $4,300/year less for private school (60% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $55,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Lincoln is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,200/year vs $11,500/year in Detroit. Religious schools run $5,000/year on the low end.

Detroit

$11,500

avg tuition/year

$850 below national avg

Lincoln

$7,200

avg tuition/year

$5,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Detroit	Lincoln	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,500/yr	$7,200/yr	+$4,300
Religious Schools	$7,600/yr	$5,000/yr	+$2,600
Independent/Prep	$21,500/yr	$15,600/yr	+$5,900
Elementary (K-5)	$9,400/yr	$6,100/yr	+$3,300
Middle School (6-8)	$11,500/yr	$7,200/yr	+$4,300
High School (9-12)	$14,200/yr	$8,600/yr	+$5,600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Detroit

$149,500

Lincoln

$93,600

Choosing Lincoln saves $55,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $111,800.

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

Lincoln

Lincoln Christian High School

Christian · K–12 · $9,600-$11,800/yr

Pius X High School (Lincoln)

Catholic · 9–12 · $8,800/yr

Full Detroit breakdown → Full Lincoln breakdown →

Michigan private school costs Nebraska 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.