Is private school cheaper in Detroit or Richmond?

Detroit has lower average private school tuition at $11,500/year vs $14,500/year in Richmond. That's $3,000/year less, or $39,000 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Detroit is $3,000/year less than Richmond. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $39,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,600/year in Detroit, $9,200/year in Richmond.

How do Detroit and Richmond 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). Richmond averages $14,500/year ($2,150 above average).

Private School Cost: Detroit vs Richmond

Detroit averages $3,000/year less for private school (26% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $39,000 per child.

Bottom Line

Detroit is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,500/year vs $14,500/year in Richmond. Religious schools run $7,600/year on the low end.

Detroit

$11,500

avg tuition/year

$850 below national avg

Lower cost

Richmond

$14,500

avg tuition/year

$2,150 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Detroit	Richmond	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,500/yr	$14,500/yr	-$3,000
Religious Schools	$7,600/yr	$9,200/yr	-$1,600
Independent/Prep	$21,500/yr	$27,000/yr	-$5,500
Elementary (K-5)	$9,400/yr	$11,800/yr	-$2,400
Middle School (6-8)	$11,500/yr	$14,500/yr	-$3,000
High School (9-12)	$14,200/yr	$18,000/yr	-$3,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Detroit

$149,500

Richmond

$188,500

Choosing Detroit saves $39,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $78,000.

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

Richmond

St. Catherine's School (Richmond)

Independent · PK–12 · $28,800-$31,400/yr

St. Christopher's School

Independent · K–12 · $29,200-$31,800/yr

Collegiate School (Richmond)

Independent · PK–12 · $30,400-$32,800/yr

Benedictine College Preparatory

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,200/yr

Full Detroit breakdown → Full Richmond breakdown →

Michigan private school costs Virginia 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.