Is private school cheaper in Detroit or McKinney?

Detroit has lower average private school tuition at $11,500/year vs $12,600/year in McKinney. That's $1,100/year less, or $14,300 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Detroit is $1,100/year less than McKinney. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $14,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,600/year in Detroit, $8,600/year in McKinney.

How do Detroit and McKinney 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). McKinney averages $12,600/year ($250 above average).

Private School Cost: Detroit vs McKinney

Detroit averages $1,100/year less for private school (10% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $14,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Detroit is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,500/year vs $12,600/year in McKinney. Religious schools run $7,600/year on the low end.

Detroit

$11,500

avg tuition/year

$850 below national avg

Lower cost

McKinney

$12,600

avg tuition/year

$250 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Detroit	McKinney	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,500/yr	$12,600/yr	-$1,100
Religious Schools	$7,600/yr	$8,600/yr	-$1,000
Independent/Prep	$21,500/yr	$26,600/yr	-$5,100
Elementary (K-5)	$9,400/yr	$10,700/yr	-$1,300
Middle School (6-8)	$11,500/yr	$12,600/yr	-$1,100
High School (9-12)	$14,200/yr	$15,100/yr	-$900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Detroit

$149,500

McKinney

$163,800

Choosing Detroit saves $14,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $28,600.

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

McKinney

Calvary Christian Academy (McKinney)

Christian · PK–12 · $10,200-$12,800/yr

McKinney Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

Full Detroit breakdown → Full McKinney breakdown →

Michigan private school costs Texas 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.