Is private school cheaper in Detroit or Los Angeles?

Detroit has lower average private school tuition at $11,500/year vs $26,800/year in Los Angeles. That's $15,300/year less, or $198,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Detroit is $15,300/year less than Los Angeles. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $198,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,600/year in Detroit, $13,500/year in Los Angeles.

How do Detroit and Los Angeles 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). Los Angeles averages $26,800/year ($14,450 above average).

Private School Cost: Detroit vs Los Angeles

Detroit averages $15,300/year less for private school (133% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $198,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Detroit is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,500/year vs $26,800/year in Los Angeles. Religious schools run $7,600/year on the low end.

Detroit

$11,500

avg tuition/year

$850 below national avg

Lower cost

Los Angeles

$26,800

avg tuition/year

$14,450 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Detroit	Los Angeles	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,500/yr	$26,800/yr	-$15,300
Religious Schools	$7,600/yr	$13,500/yr	-$5,900
Independent/Prep	$21,500/yr	$42,000/yr	-$20,500
Elementary (K-5)	$9,400/yr	$22,000/yr	-$12,600
Middle School (6-8)	$11,500/yr	$26,800/yr	-$15,300
High School (9-12)	$14,200/yr	$32,000/yr	-$17,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Detroit

$149,500

Los Angeles

$348,400

Choosing Detroit saves $198,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $397,800.

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

Los Angeles

Harvard-Westlake School

Independent · 7–12 · $47,890/yr

Crossroads School for Arts & Sciences

Independent · K–12 · $44,370/yr

Marlborough School

Independent · 7–12 · $44,800/yr

St. Monica Catholic School

Catholic · K–8 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

Full Detroit breakdown → Full Los Angeles breakdown →

Michigan private school costs California private school costs

Related Comparisons

Los Angeles vs San Francisco → Los Angeles vs San Diego → Los Angeles vs San Jose → Irvine vs Los Angeles →

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.