Private School Cost: Detroit vs Salem
Detroit averages $900/year less for private school (8% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $11,700 per child.
Bottom Line
Detroit is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,500/year vs $12,400/year in Salem. Religious schools run $7,600/year on the low end.
Detroit
MI
$11,500
avg tuition/year
Salem
OR
$12,400
avg tuition/year
Tuition by School Type & Grade
| Category | Detroit | Salem | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Schools (Average) | $11,500/yr | $12,400/yr | -$900 |
| Religious Schools | $7,600/yr | $8,400/yr | -$800 |
| Independent/Prep | $21,500/yr | $25,000/yr | -$3,500 |
| Elementary (K-5) | $9,400/yr | $10,500/yr | -$1,100 |
| Middle School (6-8) | $11,500/yr | $12,400/yr | -$900 |
| High School (9-12) | $14,200/yr | $14,900/yr | -$700 |
K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)
Detroit
$149,500
Salem
$161,200
Choosing Detroit saves $11,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $23,400.
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
Salem
Salem Academy (OR)
Christian · 9–12 · $14,800/yr
Blanchet Catholic School (Salem)
Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/yr
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.