Is private school cheaper in Detroit or Philadelphia?

Detroit has lower average private school tuition at $11,500/year vs $20,200/year in Philadelphia. That's $8,700/year less, or $113,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Detroit is $8,700/year less than Philadelphia. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $113,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,600/year in Detroit, $11,400/year in Philadelphia.

How do Detroit and Philadelphia 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). Philadelphia averages $20,200/year ($7,850 above average).

Private School Cost: Detroit vs Philadelphia

Detroit averages $8,700/year less for private school (76% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $113,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Detroit is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,500/year vs $20,200/year in Philadelphia. Religious schools run $7,600/year on the low end.

Detroit

$11,500

avg tuition/year

$850 below national avg

Lower cost

Philadelphia

$20,200

avg tuition/year

$7,850 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Detroit	Philadelphia	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,500/yr	$20,200/yr	-$8,700
Religious Schools	$7,600/yr	$11,400/yr	-$3,800
Independent/Prep	$21,500/yr	$36,000/yr	-$14,500
Elementary (K-5)	$9,400/yr	$16,500/yr	-$7,100
Middle School (6-8)	$11,500/yr	$20,200/yr	-$8,700
High School (9-12)	$14,200/yr	$25,000/yr	-$10,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Detroit

$149,500

Philadelphia

$262,600

Choosing Detroit saves $113,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $226,200.

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

Philadelphia

Episcopal Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $40,800-$43,200/yr

The Haverford School

Independent · PK–12 · $41,200/yr

Germantown Friends School

Independent (Quaker) · K–12 · $38,600/yr

La Salle College High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $19,200/yr

Full Detroit breakdown → Full Philadelphia breakdown →

Michigan private school costs Pennsylvania private school costs

Related Comparisons

New York vs Philadelphia → Boston vs Philadelphia →

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.