Is private school cheaper in Detroit or Providence?

Detroit has lower average private school tuition at $11,500/year vs $22,000/year in Providence. That's $10,500/year less, or $136,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Detroit is $10,500/year less than Providence. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $136,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,600/year in Detroit, $12,400/year in Providence.

How do Detroit and Providence 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). Providence averages $22,000/year ($9,650 above average).

Private School Cost: Detroit vs Providence

Detroit averages $10,500/year less for private school (91% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $136,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Detroit is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,500/year vs $22,000/year in Providence. Religious schools run $7,600/year on the low end.

Detroit

$11,500

avg tuition/year

$850 below national avg

Lower cost

Providence

$22,000

avg tuition/year

$9,650 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Detroit	Providence	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,500/yr	$22,000/yr	-$10,500
Religious Schools	$7,600/yr	$12,400/yr	-$4,800
Independent/Prep	$21,500/yr	$36,000/yr	-$14,500
Elementary (K-5)	$9,400/yr	$18,000/yr	-$8,600
Middle School (6-8)	$11,500/yr	$22,000/yr	-$10,500
High School (9-12)	$14,200/yr	$27,500/yr	-$13,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Detroit

$149,500

Providence

$286,000

Choosing Detroit saves $136,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $273,000.

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

Providence

Moses Brown School

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

Wheeler School

Independent · PK–12 · $38,200-$40,800/yr

Providence Country Day School

Independent · 6–12 · $34,800/yr

La Salle Academy (Providence)

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,200/yr

Full Detroit breakdown → Full Providence breakdown →

Michigan private school costs Rhode Island 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.