Is private school cheaper in Detroit or Sacramento?

Detroit has lower average private school tuition at $11,500/year vs $16,000/year in Sacramento. That's $4,500/year less, or $58,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Detroit is $4,500/year less than Sacramento. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $58,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,600/year in Detroit, $9,800/year in Sacramento.

How do Detroit and Sacramento 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). Sacramento averages $16,000/year ($3,650 above average).

Private School Cost: Detroit vs Sacramento

Detroit averages $4,500/year less for private school (39% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $58,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Detroit is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,500/year vs $16,000/year in Sacramento. Religious schools run $7,600/year on the low end.

Detroit

$11,500

avg tuition/year

$850 below national avg

Lower cost

Sacramento

$16,000

avg tuition/year

$3,650 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Detroit	Sacramento	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,500/yr	$16,000/yr	-$4,500
Religious Schools	$7,600/yr	$9,800/yr	-$2,200
Independent/Prep	$21,500/yr	$28,500/yr	-$7,000
Elementary (K-5)	$9,400/yr	$13,000/yr	-$3,600
Middle School (6-8)	$11,500/yr	$16,000/yr	-$4,500
High School (9-12)	$14,200/yr	$19,800/yr	-$5,600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Detroit

$149,500

Sacramento

$208,000

Choosing Detroit saves $58,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $117,000.

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

Sacramento

Sacramento Country Day School

Independent · PK–12 · $29,800-$32,400/yr

Christian Brothers High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,800/yr

Jesuit High School (Sacramento)

Catholic · 9–12 · $19,400/yr

St. Francis High School (Sacramento)

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,200/yr

Full Detroit breakdown → Full Sacramento 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.