Is private school cheaper in Detroit or San Jose?

Detroit has lower average private school tuition at $11,500/year vs $25,200/year in San Jose. That's $13,700/year less, or $178,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Detroit is $13,700/year less than San Jose. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $178,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,600/year in Detroit, $13,800/year in San Jose.

How do Detroit and San Jose 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 Jose averages $25,200/year ($12,850 above average).

Private School Cost: Detroit vs San Jose

Detroit averages $13,700/year less for private school (119% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $178,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Detroit is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,500/year vs $25,200/year in San Jose. Religious schools run $7,600/year on the low end.

Detroit

$11,500

avg tuition/year

$850 below national avg

Lower cost

San Jose

$25,200

avg tuition/year

$12,850 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Detroit	San Jose	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,500/yr	$25,200/yr	-$13,700
Religious Schools	$7,600/yr	$13,800/yr	-$6,200
Independent/Prep	$21,500/yr	$40,500/yr	-$19,000
Elementary (K-5)	$9,400/yr	$20,500/yr	-$11,100
Middle School (6-8)	$11,500/yr	$25,200/yr	-$13,700
High School (9-12)	$14,200/yr	$31,200/yr	-$17,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Detroit

$149,500

San Jose

$327,600

Choosing Detroit saves $178,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $356,200.

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 Jose

Harker School

Independent · K–12 · $48,200-$51,600/yr

Bellarmine College Preparatory

Catholic · 9–12 · $22,800/yr

Archbishop Mitty High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $21,400/yr

Presentation High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $20,800/yr

Full Detroit breakdown → Full San Jose breakdown →

Michigan private school costs California private school costs

Related Comparisons

Los Angeles vs San Jose → San Francisco vs San Jose →

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.