Is private school cheaper in Detroit or Orange County?

Detroit has lower average private school tuition at $11,500/year vs $20,800/year in Orange County. That's $9,300/year less, or $120,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Detroit is $9,300/year less than Orange County. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $120,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,600/year in Detroit, $11,200/year in Orange County.

How do Detroit and Orange County 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). Orange County averages $20,800/year ($8,450 above average).

Private School Cost: Detroit vs Orange County

Detroit averages $9,300/year less for private school (81% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $120,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Detroit is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,500/year vs $20,800/year in Orange County. Religious schools run $7,600/year on the low end.

Detroit

$11,500

avg tuition/year

$850 below national avg

Lower cost

Orange County

$20,800

avg tuition/year

$8,450 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Detroit	Orange County	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,500/yr	$20,800/yr	-$9,300
Religious Schools	$7,600/yr	$11,200/yr	-$3,600
Independent/Prep	$21,500/yr	$34,800/yr	-$13,300
Elementary (K-5)	$9,400/yr	$17,000/yr	-$7,600
Middle School (6-8)	$11,500/yr	$20,800/yr	-$9,300
High School (9-12)	$14,200/yr	$25,500/yr	-$11,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Detroit

$149,500

Orange County

$270,400

Choosing Detroit saves $120,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $241,800.

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

Orange County

Sage Hill School

Independent · 9–12 · $41,800/yr

Fairmont Preparatory Academy

Independent · 9–12 · $34,600-$37,200/yr

Calvary Chapel Academy

Christian · K–12 · $10,400-$12,800/yr

JSerra Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $22,400/yr

Full Detroit breakdown → Full Orange County breakdown →

Michigan private school costs California 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.