Is private school cheaper in Detroit or San Antonio?

San Antonio has lower average private school tuition at $11,200/year vs $11,500/year in Detroit. That's $300/year less, or $3,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in San Antonio is $300/year less than Detroit. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $3,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,600/year in Detroit, $7,600/year in San Antonio.

How do Detroit and San Antonio 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). San Antonio averages $11,200/year ($1,150 below average).

Private School Cost: Detroit vs San Antonio

San Antonio averages $300/year less for private school (3% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $3,900 per child.

Bottom Line

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

Detroit

$11,500

avg tuition/year

$850 below national avg

San Antonio

$11,200

avg tuition/year

$1,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Detroit	San Antonio	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,500/yr	$11,200/yr	+$300
Religious Schools	$7,600/yr	$7,600/yr	Same
Independent/Prep	$21,500/yr	$21,000/yr	+$500
Elementary (K-5)	$9,400/yr	$9,200/yr	+$200
Middle School (6-8)	$11,500/yr	$11,200/yr	+$300
High School (9-12)	$14,200/yr	$13,800/yr	+$400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Detroit

$149,500

San Antonio

$145,600

Choosing San Antonio saves $3,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $7,800.

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

San Antonio

Keystone School (San Antonio)

Independent · PK–12 · $21,200-$23,600/yr

Central Catholic High School (San Antonio)

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,800/yr

Providence Catholic School

Catholic · K–8 · $8,200-$9,800/yr

Antonian College Preparatory

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

Full Detroit breakdown → Full San Antonio breakdown →

Michigan private school costs Texas private school costs

Related Comparisons

Dallas vs San Antonio → Austin vs San Antonio →

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.